Waverley Borough Council's Deputy Leader, Paul Follows, has confirmed that Waverley will remain in Tier Two of the Government's Covid-19 restrictions.

Cllr Follows said the decision had been confirmed by UK government officials during a phone call this evening.

Cllr Follows, who is also leader of Godalming Town Council, told Nub News the situation remained unchanged for Waverley residents. But he pleaded with residents not to be complacent, and to follow the existing rules.

He told Nub News: "I have the following information from my update call this evening with the government and some answers to some questions I have had already.

"If you don't know if you are in Guildford, Waverley or East Hampshire borough and therefore which tier applies, that question is solved by who you pay council tax to on your bill. Those that work or have family in a nearby Tier 4 area the new guidance is here.

"The change is prompted by the increase in infection rates (in the South East particularly) based on a new variant of Covid-19 that government say requires this new approach. This is evidenced by the lack of a decline in the third week of the November lockdown in parts of Kent but has spread to other parts of South East England. It seems to add (at least) 0.4 to the local ' R Rate'.

"Work, education and care reasons are the ONLY reasons that allow you to LEAVE or ENTER a Tier 4 area. In Tier 4 areas the 'stay at home' requirement is a matter of LAW.

"I have had a number of complex questions about support bubbles across the border with GU, please see the guidance in this post.

"The next formal review by the government is going to be on or before December 30th.

"I must stress, that even though we are not in Tier 4 here in Waverley my advice has to be caution and personal judgement over and above the specific rules here in Waverley.

"Please, please do not be complacent. This would be the absolute worst time to do anything other than to follow the public health advice to the letter."