RESIDENTS have hit out at the move to put Essex into Tier 2 of the Government’s coronavirus restrictions.

The Government announced the whole county would move into the middle tier of restrictions, despite a wildly varying infection rate.

The move means households cannot mix indoors and hospitality firms can only serve alcohol with “substantial meals”.

The decision has been widely criticised by Gazette readers, who took to our Facebook page to express their frustrations.

Martin Simmons said: “This is getting to be a farce now.

“Kids can attend schools, colleges and universities, people can go to gyms - all close contact places.

“How come we can’t go to a pub for a drink under two metre social distancing rules as before?”

Mark Williams said: “It’s the equivalent of cutting your leg off because you got a verruca.

“No cost benefit analysis. Nothing.”

Jus Carroll said: “Utterly ridiculous.

“This Government are inept.

“The whole of the east of England has consistently had low levels of infection.”

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Caroline Louise Pitchford added: "I agree these tiers and rules are silly and too out of hand now

"But our council shouldn’t have asked to move into tier 2 in the first place."

Darren Cole said: "Hopefully the government will have some common sense when this is reviewed next month & put us into the correct tier which is 1!!"

Some readers did express support for the move, such as Jane Louise.

She said: “It’s sensible.

“We’re so near to the vaccine now.”

Shirley Chatland added: "Best tier for us. So close to a vaccine let's not get complacent again."