Newspaper column 8 April 2021 - The Road to Recovery continues...

I hope everyone had a good Easter Weekend and my thanks to everyone who worked through it during these difficult times.

Easter Monday saw another step forward in our Roadmap to Recovery as the Prime Minister announced our plans are on track and the planned easements of COVID-19 restrictions can go ahead from next Monday, the 12^th April.

This is excellent news and I am pleased to see the continued positive news from the incredible rollout of the vaccine programme, which is going so well both nationally and in Cornwall. As of 3 April, 31.4 million people in the UK have had their first jab, 5.2 million people have had both doses, and over half of people aged over 80 have had both jabs. Hospitalisations and deaths are also both significantly down, showing that the vaccine programme is working.

The Government’s assessment to continue easing restrictions was based on meeting the four tests previously laid out, that the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully, that evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated, that infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS, and that the assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants.

From 12 April additional premises will be able to reopen – with the rules on social contact applying. Indoor settings must only be visited alone or with household groups, with outdoor settings limited to either six people or two households.

This includes non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers, beauty and nail salons; and indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas.

Overnight stays away from home in England will be permitted and self-contained accommodation can also reopen, though must only be used by members of the same household or support bubble.

Public buildings such as libraries and community centres will also reopen.

The majority of outdoor settings and attractions can also reopen, including outdoor hospitality, zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances events.

Hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants will be able to open for outdoor service, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcohol, and no curfew. The requirement to eat and drink while seated will remain.

People should continue to work from home where they can, and minimise domestic travel where they can. International holidays are still illegal.

The number of care home visitors will also increase to two per resident, and all children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity, including sport, regardless of circumstance.

Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five years old) can restart indoors.

While this is all good news, we must all continue to show caution - there are no changes to social contact rules and many restrictions remain still in place. Outdoor gatherings must still be limited to 6 people or 2 households, and you must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with.

As ever my thanks goes to everyone who continues to do what they can to stay safe and stick to the rules and I hope that we will be able to continue on this positive path and ease more restrictions as we head into the summer.

As ever, 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 , or by telephone on 01872 229698.