This is a big change for Eastbourne, disappointing but not wholly unexpected, given but the climb in infection rates across East Sussex in recent weeks.
I have just come off a phone conference with ministers and the deputy chief medical officer who explained the serious situation. The pace of the new variant demands nothing less than Tier 4.
Although the new Tier 4 restrictions come into force in the first minute after midnight on Boxing Day, 26th December, I would ask everyone to think through their plans for Christmas Day and minimise their risk in every way they can.
The vaccine is our great hope and is what will break the cycle here but a very clear message from the call was that it will take months for the vaccine rollout to take significant effect. The virus is here and now and lives will be lost if we do not take safety measures and people keep to social distancing.
I know this will be a tough few months for everyone but we will get through it and the vaccine will do its work.
