Hastings has the lowest Covid-19 infection rate in Eng;and according to figures published yesterday.

Data released by Public Health England showed that Hastings has an infection rate of 48.5 per 100,000 people with a total of 45 people having tested positive for the virus, according to the figures.

Neighbouring Rother had the sixth lowest infection rate at 89.9 per 100,000 people while just 30 miles to the east Ashford has one of the highest infection rates in the country – nearly double that of the county as a whole – with a rate of 271.2 cases per 100,000 people.

Meanwhile in a bid to maintain that low rate of infection Hastings Borough Council (HBC) has been working on how the government announcement on Sunday that set out plans for easing lockdown restrictions will affects our town moving forward. 

“The council is mindful of the potential risks increased visitors from other areas could have on the residents of our town,” an HBC spokesman said this week. 

That’s why in a bid to keep its hospital, residents and keyworkers protected the council, and 1066 Country Marketing, the private public sector tourism marketing partnership responsible for promoting the area, have made the decision that they do not want to encourage visitors to the area yet. This, they say, is in line with decisions made by other popular destinations such just as The Lakes, Cornwall, Brighton, Blackpool and the Peak District. 

Kevin Boorman, manager of 1066 Country Marketing, said: “We would love to welcome visitors to Hastings and 1066 Country once our attractions, hotels, B&Bs and restaurants are open but until life returns to some normality please don’t come here.” 

And HBC’s leader Councillor Kim Forward added: “We love welcoming visitors to Hastings, some of whom return every year to enjoy the fantastic attractions, restaurants and shops our town has to offer. But for now Hastings will remain closed to visitors until we feel it is safe for our town to welcome them again.

“Our toilets are closed across our town as well which is helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We are all working hard in Hastings to keep our residents safe and our infection rate is relatively low and we need it to be even lower.”