On Thursday last week the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care confirmed the arrangements for the new tiered COVID-19 restrictions across England.
The vast majority of England were in the higher tiered
restrictions 2 and 3, reflecting the higher levels of COVID-19 in these areas
and the increased risk of transmission that goes with it.
Only Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Wight
were placed in the lowest tier of restrictions, Tier 1 from 2nd December.
This is because we have, throughout the pandemic, kept the
lowest levels of COVID-19 in the country in Cornwall.
Residents of Cornwall were singled out for praise and thanked
by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care during his statement in
Parliament, and it is great to see our efforts through the pandemic given this
national recognition.
The news that we are in Tier 1 will doubtless have been a relief
for so many of our hard-pressed hospitality businesses, who will now be able to
re-open or open to sit-in customers again with less restrictions than across
most of the rest of the country.
The decisions on the tiering will be regularly reviewed
though, and it is up to all of us to continue to follow the rules, stay safe
and suppress the virus to ensure we in Tier 1 and don’t fall back to harsher
restrictions in the future.
As we enter December it is also time to look forward to the
Christmas period and the Government and devolved administrations has issued guidance
on what families will be able to do over the week around Christmas.
This cannot be a ‘normal’ Christmas. But as we approach the
festive period, the Government has been working closely to find a way for
family and friends to see each other, even if it is for a short time, and
recognising that it must be both limited and cautious.
Travel restrictions across the four administrations and
between tiers will be lifted to provide a window for households to come
together between the 23rd and 27th of December.
Up to three households can form an exclusive ‘bubble’ to
meet at home during this period. When a bubble is formed it is fixed, and must
not be changed or extended further at any point.
Each Christmas bubble can meet at home, at a place of
worship or an outdoor public place, but existing, more restrictive rules on
hospitality and meeting in other venues will be maintained throughout this
period.
Even where it is within the rules, meeting with friends and
family over Christmas will be a personal judgement for individuals to take,
mindful of the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are
vulnerable.
I hope that these rules, announced a month in advance, will
give some clarity to people over what they can plan for at Christmas time, and
even though this won’t be a ‘normal’ Christmas, we will be able to all spend
time with our families in a way that is safe and responsible.
If you need my assistance with anything then my team and I
are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at
Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, by telephone on 01872 229698.
No comments:
Post a Comment