Wolverhampton 'could have Covid restrictions throughout winter'
People in Wolverhampton should expect coronavirus restrictions to continue throughout the winter, the city's council leader has said.
Wolverhampton has been subject to tougher localised restrictions for almost a fortnight banning mixing in households after a spike in cases.
City council leader Ian Brookfield said there were signs that cases had "plateaued" but added it was unclear when local restrictions would be lifted.
He said people should expect infringements on their lives, on and off, throughout the winter.
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Latest figures showed a slight fall in cases in Wolverhampton in the week to September 28.
Councillor Brookfield said: "It's the proverbial 'how long is a piece of string?' It could be we're doing this, having restrictions or other kinds of restrictions, for the whole winter period.
"The rate is high but it does seem to have plateaued a bit. It is still too high, so when the Government says we need to take this type of action we listen.
"I'm hoping the figures come down so we can get back into the normal rhythm of life.
"But people have to be aware of the fact we are in this for the long run. In a month or two we might be in the same situation where we may be asked to have similar restrictions.
"That's the problem with this virus, the lack of immunity to it."
Councillor Brookfield welcomed reports that vaccines could soon be rolled out in the region but said doing so would be no easy task.
