News in Sandbach

Cheshire East's leaders have said the lockdown announced last night by the prime minister is needed to stop the spread of Covid-19.

These new measures mean that schools and colleges in Macclesfield and across the borough are now closed to most pupils except for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. Most pupils will be learning remotely from home.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation laying out new national lockdown plans.

These come as Sandbach enters a was entering its first full of Tier Four restrictions as cases continue to rise due to the new COVID variant.

A road in Sandbach had to be closed over the weekend after firefighters were called to put out a car fire.

Shortly after 3pm on Saturday the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of smoke coming from a car on Congleton Road.

Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran says the authority will remain "dedicated to minimising the impact on the most vulnerable" in Sandbach and across the borough when finalising its financial plans.

He added that the pandemic has put the council "under acute financial pressure".

The council has announced it is assisting schools across Cheshire East in getting the mass testing of students in place for their delayed return in the new year.

Secondary school and college students will be making a phased return after the Christmas holidays to get the testing program in place.

Cheshire police has warned that anyone caught flouting lockdown restrictions this evening will be given a fine.

The warning comes on the first day of Tier 4 restrictions in Cheshire East in which residents have been told they should stay at home and only to mix within your household or 'bubble' indoors.

The leader of Cheshire East Council has "implored" residents to adhere to the new tier 4 restrictions which came into force today.

Under the strictest level, people have been told they must stay at home unless you have a "reasonable excuse".

The return to school after the Christmas holidays has been delayed for many secondary students, the education secretary has announced.

Students who are due to sit exams this year will return on 11 January, with others returning a week later.

Cheshire East will move into the tightest Covid-19 restrictions from tomorrow, Matt Hancock has confirmed.

Speaking to the House of Commons this afternoon (Wednesday, December 30), the Health Secretary outlined that both Cheshire West and Cheshire East are to move from Tier 3 to Tier 4 controls.