SOUTHEND health chiefs would not hesitate in imposing tougher restrictions at the end of the national lockdown if needed – but they stress every effort is being made to suppress the virus.

Before lockdown, Southend refused to join wider Essex to declare itself in the High category of coronavirus restrictions.

Essex County Council insists its move to impose tougher restrictions – limiting contact with others – is paying dividends, with virus rates being cut.

However, because Southend and Thurrock did not join Essex in the High category, some have asked whether there may be role reversal.

Southend Council bosses say they are taking account of a number of factors by monitoring cases and infection rates, but refuse to rule out tougher restrictions if needed.

Trevor Harp, Southend councillor responsible for health and adult social care at the council, said: “If the indicators are that we need to be in tier two, we will go into tier 2.

“It’s a decision made by taking all those factors into account. It’s very difficult if you’re sitting in a room and all of the indicators are for tier two that we should go against that.”

In the seven-day period up to yesterday, Southend had 330 confirmed Covid-19 cases with a rate of 180.2 per 100,000 people, according to Government data.

Under Essex County Council, covering the rest of Essex, there were 2,182 cases with a rate of 146.5 per 100,000.

County Hall has previously said it would be asking to go into the least severe form of restrictions at the end of lockdown.

Mr Harp added: “Really as it stands at the moment we will still continue to monitor our figures and everything else.

“I am sure the Government will give us guidance for where we should be in when we come out of the other side.

“Obviously, we would like to stay in as lower tier as we can in the parameters that we have to take into account. That will be all our R rates and depending what the figures are.

“There’s also NHS pressure and any pressure on any other parts of the health and care sector. It’s too early to tell, the figures are moving up and down.”

In the coming days, the Government is likely to announce new guidance on tiers of restrictions. Mr Harp said there were rumours of extended bubbles at Christmas.

Krishna Ramkhelawon, director of public health, said: “In the last ten days our rate has increased significantly with potential impacts of Halloween, half-term and activity prior to the national restrictions being seen nationally and locally.

“Our rate is in line with the East of England average and our positivity rate remain below the national average. From a public health perspective, we wouldn’t have expected to see any positive impacts of national restrictions yet, but over the next two weeks or so.

“Looking forward, we await guidance from the Government as to what restrictions may be in place from the start of December. We continue to monitor our data and urge people to adhere to the national restrictions which will help keep our rate down.”