West Briton column 25 June 2020 - Covid-19 update and more on anti racism campaigning

We are now in the fourteenth week of lockdown. Restrictions continue to be eased as the number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and people who have sadly died from this terrible virus continues to fall.

As of the time of writing, at the beginning of the week, the Health and Social Care Secretary confirmed that from Monday 6 July people shielding will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to 6 people including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing.

Those who are shielding and live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household of any size, following the same rules already in place for the wider population.

This comes as the latest scientific evidence shows the chances of encountering the virus in the community continue to decline, but the government is committed to continuing with the unprecedented package of support until the end of July to give those shielding time to adjust to these changes.

From Saturday 1 August, the guidance will then be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield, but support will remain available from NHS volunteers and local councils. People will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments.

Combined with the reopening of ‘non-essential’ retail across England last week, and the anticipated announcement on the reopening of accommodation for holiday purposes which is probably due this week, for July, it is good to see that the sacrifices we have all made in the fight against this virus are working, and that we continue to be able to loosen the restrictions and return to some sense of normality.

Away from COVID-19, since last week I have also continued to look at what I can do locally to support those people campaigning against racism, following the protest in Truro last Monday, and the laying of flowers at the war memorial on Sunday

Since my statement from last week, I welcome the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a national cross-Parliament inquiry into the cause of inequalities.

Earlier this week I also wrote to the CEO of Cornwall Council about expanding the council’s working group on the Cornish national minority status to include looking at better inclusion and diversity in Cornwall for our BAME communities.

I will feed my own experiences into the Government’s Inquiry as it happens, and am pleased to be working with Cornwall Council to ensure better inclusivity for minority groups in the future.

I remain committed to listening to and acting upon all concerns regarding racism, inequalities or anything else raised with me by residents of Truro and Falmouth, should they wish to contact me.

Please continue to stay safe. If you need my assistance with anything, please get in touch at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, or on 01872 229698 or you can write to me by letter at Lemon Chapel, William Street, Truro, TR1 2ED.