‘There is real hope’; West Dorset MP’s Christmas message
Chris Loder is thanking us for keeping to the government’s guidelines this Christmas.
West Dorset’s MP Chris Loder says there is ‘real hope’ that we may see the back of the virus, as part of his Christmas message to us.
He’s also thanking residents for making tough sacrifices and sticking to the government’s advice this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
He told Greatest Hits Dorset that his message this Christmas is threefold:
"My personal message is probably three-fold.
"The first is to thank everybody very much indeed for taking seriously the government's advice, and I know that's been quite difficult you know, I think we're just over nine months since we had the first lockdown towards the end of March, I know it's been very difficult.
"But I'm very grateful for everybody for how they have taken on board the need to manage through these restrictions.
"My second point is really that the vaccines are here, we are very fortunate that we have hubs in Dorchester and in Yeovil and from those points, vaccines are disseminated across the constituency for us here in West Dorset and I think we're going to be in a really strong position throughout the beginning of next year in the early spring to make sure the vaccines can be rolled out appropriately across West Dorset.
"I think there is real hope that in the not too distant future, we will be seeing the back of this wretched virus because I know it's been pretty horrendous.
"And the third is to, of course, wish everybody a very, very happy Christmas.
"Given the constraints and other things that we're having to contend with, especially if we're not seeing our families because I know, this has been a year that we probably would have preferred not to have and I know we're coming to the end of this year.
"I do hope that everybody can have a very, very merry and happy Christmas and wish everybody the best for 2021."
It comes as Dorset avoided being brought up a tier yesterday, despite two neighbouring counties having tougher restrictions imposed.
Somerset has been put in Tier 3 restrictions, as has the New Forest.