MP Graham Stuart has acknowledged the difficulties caused by the latest rules as a result of a third national lockdown.
However, the MP went on to described the restrictions as “vital” in the national effort to fight Covid-19.
Following the news that a new variant of the virus has emerged across the country particularly in London and the South East.
That region has seen between 50-70% more transmissible than the previous variant, on 4 January. As a result, the Government announced another national lockdown in order to tackle rising cases and hospital admissions across the UK.
The new restrictions, made under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. They began on 5 January ahead of a confirmatory vote held on Wednesday.
Schools will also once again be asked to close their doors to all except vulnerable children and the children of key workers.
While the public is being asked to stay at home other than for a limited number of reasons. These reasons include going to work, shopping for essentials and providing care.
Non-essential shops will also close for the duration of the restrictions.
The measures also mean that it is against the law to meet socially with family and friends not part of the same household. However, people are allowed to meet one other person from outside their household for exercise outdoors.
Unlike the initial lockdown in March 2020, however, support and childcare bubbles will continue. The Government has however stressed that childcare bubbles should be used to allow parents to work. They should not be used for people to meet socially.
Latest Rules Supported By MP Graham Stuart
Reacting to the latest rules, Graham said:
“I know this will be a huge blow to my constituents as we approach a year of being in the grip of this terrible pandemic.
“I have supported these measures with a heavy heart because I’m all too aware of the difficulties caused by the restrictions both financial and emotional. But they are the only way to keep the rate of infection down substantially enough to protect the NHS and save lives.
“Thankfully, this time we can see the light at the end of this tunnel. This is because the NHS expects to have vaccinated all care home residents and their carers, everyone over the age of 70, all frontline healthcare workers, and everyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable by the middle of next month.
“This should mean we will eventually be able to lift many of the restrictions we have had to endure for so long now and get back to a semblance of normality shortly.”
The Government has extended the furlough and self-employment support schemes until the end of April. The Treasury has also provided an additional £4.6 billion of support in the form of one-off £9,000 grants for closed premises. While there is also £500 million available of discretionary funding to support other local businesses.
The Government expects over 600,000 businesses to benefit from these grants.
More From HU17.net
Football for Good – How the Beautiful Game Is Making a Difference
Why Managing Your Household Finances as a Couple is Key
Smart Property Management: Strategies For Success
Spotlight On Lifelong Learning: How Advanced Education Is Shaping Beverley’s Professionals
Must-See Attractions in and Around Beverley
This upsurge is a direct result of Government policy.How can the local MP support something that has put lives at risk in this area due to the inability and inept handling of the virus in the south of the country.It is quite obvious that if action had been taken earlier in London areas this could have been avoided.The special treatment of London compared to the north of the country is nothing short of a disgrace and should be remembered come the next general election.