What Derbyshire folk really think of the new ‘covid tier’ system – which launches today

"The guidelines surrounding Covid-19 haven’t been clear from the beginning.

"One day you watch the news, and you think you know what’s happening, and the next day it’s a different thing.

"None of us know where we stand, it’s that plain and simple.”

The Derbyshire Times spoke to Chesterfield residents this week, following the announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday that the government had established three levels of restrictions, to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 – very high (tier 3), high (tier 2) and medium (tier 1).

Apart from areas in the High Peak which have been placed into a ‘high’ lockdown which prevents households from mixing, the rest of Derbyshire will remain under the current lower tier ‘medium’ restrictions that are already in place.

Charlesworth, Chisworth, Chunal, Crowden, Dinting, Gamesley, Glossop, Hadfield, Moorfield, Padfield, Shirebrook, Simmondley and Tintwistle are all subject to the new, stricter measures which forbid people from meeting other households indoors.

The new restrictions come into effect today.

"I don’t understand most of it,” admitted Justin’s dad, Jack, who turns 70 on Sunday.

“I think we’re in the medium risk, so I won’t be changing much I’m doing, as apart from one evening out for a do, I haven’t really been anywhere since March.

"I don’t think the pandemic has been handled well; these tougher restrictions should have been brought in much sooner if they wanted to make a real difference.”

Bryan and Hazel Cowley live in Clowne, but ventured out to Chesterfield town centre earlier this week to do some shopping.

"We do understand the new tier system, and it doesn’t change anything really for us,” said Bryan.

"We’re classed as vulnerable, so have been keeping ourselves to ourselves as much as possible anyway.

"While we understand the guidelines, our concern is that other people don’t – out shopping just now we saw people ignoring ‘one way’ signs, and not social distancing.

"This will only work if we all do what is asked.”

Grace and George Greenhedge, of Eckington, claimed they understand the new guidelines.

"We’re in North East Derbyshire, so nothing will change for us for now,” said Grace,

"We’re close to Sheffield and things have obviously changed there, and that’s where my sister lives, which means we can’t visit her for now.”

Nicola Bown revealed she watched the news when the announcement was made on Monday, but was left unclear as to which areas were affected by which tiers.

"It mentioned that a small part of the Peak District was affected by stricter restrictions, but didn’t say where, and the Peak District is a big place,” she said.

"I looked online, but couldn’t find anything, it’s all just a little unclear.

"We live here, but my husband works in the Peak District, and he works with people from a mixture of areas, including Sheffield, so I feel very unsure about this new system.

"I suppose in the end it’s just about using common sense, but the problem is that some people don’t seem to have any.”