HEALTH bosses in Hampshire have explained what will trigger a decision to move the county into a new level of Covid-19 restrictions.

Public health directors in Hampshire and Southampton said there will be a number of factors that will be considered before deciding whether the county will have to move from Tier 1 to Tier 2.

As reported, Hampshire and the Southampton area are both in Tier 1 and are classified as being on medium alert.

This means that pubs, bars and restaurants have to close at 10pm and the rule of six is in place both indoors and outdoors.

But should the county move into Tier 2, the mixing between different households indoors will not be allowed and the rule of six will only apply outdoors.

Health bosses said a decision to move into Tier 2 will be taken by the directors of public health, civic chiefs and the government.

Simon Bryant, director of public health at Hampshire County Council, said there is not an exact figure or factor that would trigger a decision to move into Tier 2.

"It's not a clear exact science", he said.

He explained that the rate of infection and how the NHS is coping with an increase in cases are among the aspects that will be considered before making any decisions.

Dr Debbie Chase, director of public health at Southampton City Council, added: “We look at a whole range of data to get as a full a picture as possible of the impact of COVID-19 on Southampton. This includes not just positive tests, but early indicators like 111 calls and of course hospital admissions and deaths. A decision to move into a higher tier of restrictions will involve looking at this whole picture, in close conversation with central government and our partners locally in the NHS and in other sectors."

Both directors of public health have repeatedly urged residents to comply with the rules.

It comes as the number of coronavirus cases across the county continues to rise.

The most recent figures have revealed that the weekly rate of infection in Hampshire is 57.9 while the weekly rate is 68.9 in England and 369.1 in the north west.

Meanwhile, in Southampton the weekly rate has gone up to 70.

Health bosses said although the numbers remain lower than in the rest of the country it is not time to be complacent.

Cllr Lorna Fielker, cabinet member for health and care at the city council, said: "We are heading into a crucial period for the city. The infection rate is relatively low here compared to the national average but we know it is rising. I want to thank Southampton’s residents for the sacrifices they’ve made so far in keeping the virus under control. But now more than ever we need to stick with it.”