We're being urged to embrace latest coronavirus lockdown
The message comes from local leaders in North Yorkshire
Residents in North Yorkshire have been urged to “embrace” the latest national lockdown as the vaccine roll-out in the county picks up pace.
The new national stay at home measures were announced last night by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and will last at least until late February.
Richard Flinton, chairman of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum said that there was “light at the end of the tunnel” and urged residents in the county to abide by the restrictions whilst people are vaccinated.
He said:
“This would be a terrible time to lose a loved one when the end is in sight of this pandemic.
“So, we just need to work together for a little bit longer, embrace the lockdown, follow the procedures, stay at home and there will be a way through this in the end.”
The forum heard that infection levels were continuing to rise in North Yorkshire and were expected increase further in the coming weeks when the impact of Christmas household mixing was felt.
Mr Flinton added that if the national lockdown had not been brought it the county would have been moved into Tier 4 restrictions due to the spread of the virus.
Amanda Bloor, NHS North Yorkshire CCG Accountable Officer, told the meeting that there are currently 271 people in hospital with Covid-19 in North Yorkshire, a rise of 70 from a week ago. Thirty-four of the patients are in intensive care.
In April, at the peak of the pandemic, the county had 302 patients in hospital with the virus.
However, she said the county was expecting to take it first delivery of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine later this week, which would speed up the vaccination process.
Mrs Bloor added: “What our focus will be this week is to get a plan together around vaccination in care homes as quickly and as safely as we can.”
The new lockdown restrictions
Can I leave the house?
People will only be allowed to leave their house for limited reasons, including shopping for essentials, work or education, exercise, and to seek medical assistance.
Mr Johnson said residents can leave their homes for shopping for necessities such as food and medicine, but only as infrequently as possible.
Are schools open?
Schools are closed to most pupils, except the children of key workers and those who are vulnerable. Teaching will continue remotely online.
Do I have to go into work?
People will be able to go to work if it is impossible to work from home, such as those working in the construction sector or who are critical workers. All others must work from home. Cleaners and other trades people will still be able to work in people's homes. Those shielding should not go to work
They are advised not to go to work even if they cannot work from home.
Are support bubbles still allowed?
Support bubbles are still allowed. This is when two households link up, effectively forming one household. Only certain people are allowed to form support bubbles, including adults living alone and single adults living with children. More information forming support bubbles can be found here.
Can I go shopping?
All non-essential shops, hairdressers and personal care venues must close. Essential shops, including food stores and supermarkets, will remain open.
Can weddings and funerals go ahead?
Weddings and funerals can go ahead with strict restrictions on the number in attendance. Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, while commemorative events such as wakes can be attended by 6 people. Weddings and civil partnerships can only take place with 6 attendees under exceptional circumstances, such as an urgent marriage where one person is terminally ill.
What's happening with universities?
Students studying courses which require formative training, such as medicine, dentistry, education, veterinary science and social work, will return to face-to-face teaching as normal. Students studying other courses should, where possible, remain where they are and start their term remotely with online learning.
Are restaurants and pubs closed?
All cafes, pubs and restaurants should close. Restaurants and other hospitality venues can continue delivery or takeaway services, but people will not be able to add alcohol to that order.
I want to exercise, are gyms open and sports allowed?
Gyms and leisure facilities must close. Exercise outside will be allowed – preferably limited to once a day – with members of your household or support bubble or one other person from another household, such as going for a walk or run. Exercise should be taken locally.
Can I go to church or other places of worship?
Places of worship can remain open for individual prayers and communal worship, but people should only visit with their household or support bubble and maintain social distancing throughout.
What about childcare?
All primary and secondary schools as well as colleges will move to remote learning, but early years settings such as nurseries and childminders can remain open, and existing childcare bubbles will be allowed to stay in place.
Can I play sport?
Outdoor gyms, tennis courts and golf courses must close, and outdoor team sports will not be permitted. Organised outdoor sport for disabled people can continue.
Premier League and other elite sports that already have in place strict testing regimes and their own bubbles will be allowed to continue.
Can I still move house?
Yes, people can still move house. Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to operate. You can still attend property viewings.