Plymouth City Council leader's message to residents ahead of lockdown
Tudor Evans described the announcement as 'very sobering'
Last updated 2nd Nov 2020
The leader of Plymouth City Council has issued an appeal to residents ahead of lockdown.
Tudor Evans is asking people to rally round once more to help each other.
He has called for the city to unite, be kind to each other and to work together to do whatever it takes to try to reduce the infection rate:
"That was a very sobering Saturday evening.
"This is not going to be easy, but we have proved that we can look after each other before and we will do it again.
"If we go in hard and fast and knuckle down to get the rate of infection - the R rate down, we can hopefully come out of lockdown in time for Christmas."
Councillor Evans is now calling on the Government to use this time to work with them and other councils to sort out Test and Trace.
He is also asking for a package of measures to support local businesses:
"I am incredibly worried about the impact this will have on our businesses - particularly our hospitality, arts and culture sectors who help make Plymouth a great place to live.
"They need a specific and substantial package of measures before they become permanent casualties.
"The figures behind the hardship relief fund are depressing - we’ve been given enough to help 154 people with a £500 one off payment. Surely this needs to be reviewed urgently?
"I am worried for colleagues in our South West hospitals who were specifically highlighted in the Prime Minister’s briefing as being at risk of running out of capacity in a matter of weeks unless we act.
"Finally, all councils need to be properly funded to keep care and the frontline going.
"Our staff are working all hours to support care homes and schools dealing with the impact of COVID-19, to feed hungry children, to help our businesses be COVID-secure as well as keep the city going.
"If ever there was a time for more funding, this is it."
Boris Johnson announced a second lockdown on Saturday evening (31 October).
From Thursday 2 November:
• All pubs and restaurants must shut - but takeaways can remain open
• All non-essential retail to close
• No household mixing but support bubbles will still be allowed and children will be able to move homes if their parents are separated.
• Outbound international travel banned
• Overnight hotel stays banned except for work
• Travel in UK discouraged
• Essential travel to work permitted
• Schools and universities will be allowed to remain open
• Courts will remain open
• Outdoor exercise will be allowed
• Churches and other places of worship will be closed except for funerals, to broadcast acts of worship and individual prayer
• Construction and manufacturing to continue
• Shielding measures will not be re-introduced, but vulnerable people or those aged over 70 are told to be especially careful.
The measures will apply to all regions from Thursday and will be in place until 2 December.