CHESHIRE East leader Sam Corcoran has said the borough's current infection rate 'should' mean it will 'be put back into tier 2'.

Cheshire's council leaders are set to learn which tier of restrictions they will be in later today when Health Secretary Matt Hancock addresses the House of Commons at 11.30am.

Taking to Twitter, the CEC Labour leader said: "If you go by today's numbers, then we should be put back into tier 2 — but our [case] numbers are definitely falling, and the number of hospital admissions is flat.

"So by December 2 I am confident that the numbers will suggest we will be in tier 1.

"The government has not announced what geographical area will be used to determine the tiers. Most of our neighbouring areas have higher infection rates than we do, so depending on the geographical area used, we could be put into tier 3."

The latest Public Health England data — from November 20 — suggests CEC is experiencing 169.7 cases per 100,000. This figure was 250.9 just nine days earlier.

While little is known about which area will be placed into which tiers, the government has made it clear that any new restrictions will be dictated to leaders — leaving no room for negotiation.

Cllr Corcoran addressed this fact by adding: "Local authorities will not be involved in the decision. Whatever tier we are put into, it will be imposed from central government.

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"Whatever the decision, the virus will not go away on December 2 — so please remember the basics of washing your hands, don't touch your face, and maintain social distancing."