Bridport mayor, Cllr Ian Bark, has praised residents for their efforts so far but is reminding everyone to follow the rules as the county has entered Tier 3.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on December 30 that Dorset would be entering Tier 3, with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole going into Tier 4.

Cllr Bark said: "A strain of the coronavirus has already reached Dorset, according to new data, and could have been in the county in early December.

"The case rate in the Dorset Council area has meanwhile nearly doubled according to fresh data from Public Health England. In the Dorset council area, the seven-day rolling rate has risen from 44.4 (168 cases) on December 11 to 79.5 (301) cases up to December 18.

"Whilst the rate of infection remains lower than many areas of the country, this is a significant rise and given the increased rate of infection associated with the new strain suggests a potentially worrying trend.

"To illustrate how quickly infection rates can rise, just over the border in Somerset, they have seen a 700 per cent rise in infections in the Cheddar and Axbridge area.

"Bridport South and West Bay, covers the southern part of Bridport below East Road roundabout, as well as Bothenhampton and the coastal West Bay. Public Health England had not reported a coronavirus cluster within this area since the pandemic began. But this area has now reported five cases of Covid-19, according to the statistics up to December 19.

"It is therefore even more important that we remain vigilant and do everything we can to protect ourselves and those around us if we are to keep the rate of infection as low as possible locally. By doing so we reduce the level of risk of infection and minimise the level of strain placed on the local NHS and emergency services."

Under Tier 3, the main restrictions are:

• No mixing of households indoors, apart from support bubbles

• Pubs, bars and hospitality are closed, unless operating takeaway services

• Work from home if you can

• Shops remain open

Cllr Bark added: "There is a light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel. Vaccinations are already being given to the most vulnerable in Bridport and the announcement that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved will enable this process to be speeded up.

"In the meantime, it is important to remember that one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading without realising it.

"Don't forget the basics; hands, face, space."

Hands: Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds

Face: Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet

Space: Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or one metre with extra precautions, such as wearing face masks.

Cllr Bark said: "One of the reasons the number of cases has been low in Bridport when compared to other areas is that we are very good at following the rules.

"I am always impressed by the number of people wearing masks, sanitising and maintaining social distances when I am in town.

"For all our sakes I ask you to please remain vigilant, do the basics and follow Tier 3 rules."