HAMPSHIRE might remain in Tier 2 for more than two weeks, it has been warned.

The new coronavirus restrictions that will be in place from December 2, are set to be reviewed on December 16.

But Hampshire, which has been placed in Tier 2 High Alert, might remain in the same tier "for longer" in order to manage the loosening of the restrictions at Christmas.

County bosses said the rate of infection and hospital admissions across the county have  started to decrease.

But civic chiefs have also stressed that the virus is "still alive".

At the meeting of the Hampshire Local Outbreak Engagement Board held this afternoon, Simon Bryant, the director of public health at Hampshire County Council, was asked what are the chances for the county to come out of Tier 2 on December 16.

He said: "We need to see some sustained drop in those figures for a significant number of time because what we are worried about is if we come out of these restrictions too early these cases will just go back up, particularly bearing in mind we have got a loosening of restrictions across the Christmas period. I think what we might find that is happening is that we stay in this Tier for longer to make sure that we can manage Christmas and then come out some time in the year but I don't know. I think we need to maintain our strong position and the good work that is going on."

The news comes as at the meeting Mr Bryant told councillors that the current weekly rate of infection in Hampshire has gone from 135.3x100,000 earlier in the week to 113.8x100,000.

The weekly rate of infection for England is 209.1x100,000, while Southampton has a weekly rate of infection of 128.7x100,000 - down from 170.7x100,00 earlier this week.

But civic chiefs stressed the need for residents to continue to comply with the rules.

John Coughlan, county council chief executive, said the rate of infection started to drop very recently.

He added: "It does feel to me that the county's Tier is the appropriate one."

It comes as MPs across the country have voiced concerns over the new Tier system.

Health bosses said a number of factors will be considered over the coming weeks including the rate of infection, the rate of infection in people over 60 and hospital admissions.