Lockdown 2: Wiltshire Council and Salisbury MP's response

Wiltshire Council's leaders have called on local residents to follow the guidance from Government, although they understand some people's fatigue towards the idea of more restrictions.

The county's Director of Public Health, Kate Blackburn, spelled out the current state of Covid-19 cases in Wiltshire, during a webinar this week, saying:

• Wiltshire recorded 459 new coronavirus cases in the 7 days to 1st November

• That's a rate of 91.8 cases per 100,000 people

• The rate is currently less than half the national average, but cases are rising rapidly acrss Wiltshire

• There are no 'hotspots' of cases around Wiltshire, it's an even spread throughout the county

• Cases are also rising across all age groups

• Household transmission is the most common form of spreading the virus in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council leader Philip Whitehead told the online meeting he's confident that people will do what they can to continue to stick to the rules:

"I think the attitude of the Wiltshire residents, the strength, resilience and togetherness that we've shown over the past eight months has been a real shining light in an otherwise, quite difficult and dark year. It shows that true communities can respond to anything that happens to them."

There's also been a reminder to abide by the self-isolation rules if you're contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

If you don't stay at home when required to do so, following a positive Covid-19 result or as a close contact of someone with the illness, you could be fined up to £10,000.

Wiltshire Director of Public Health Kate Blackburn has asked those affected to do their bit:

"I know it's really inconvenient, and I know it's a real disruption for anyone who has to self-isolate, I know this first hand. But spreading Covid will likely have far worse consequences for us all, so I'm asking you really please to follow the guidance and obey the law."

SALISBURY MP'S VIEWS

John Glen has been explaining his thoughts on the new lockdown too, in his latest blog.

The Salisbury MP voted in favour of bringing in the restrictions for the next month, saying action needs to be taken:

"My inbox has been awash with emails expressing anger and anxiety about the wider impact of this move - concerns I both understand and share. I too am troubled by the costs that come with these restrictions - not only in terms of jobs and the economy, but the impact on people's mental health.

"The PM has been very clear that a blanket lockdown is not what any of us wanted. That is why the localised tiered approach was tried, to preserve as much normality as possible in areas like ours with a relatively low prevalence of the disease.

"But cases are rising here too - albeit from a low base - and the experience in other parts of the country and across Europe tells us where we are headed if firm action is not taken. The latest data shows an alarming consensus among SAGE scientists that, unless we act now, the deaths over the winter could be over twice what we saw in the first wave.

"Even in the south west, modelling also shows that, unless the spread is checked, the NHS will be rapidly inundated and forced to choose which sick people receive care and which do not. We cannot allow this to happen."

Mr Glen has also called on his constituents to comply with the restrictions, for all our sakes:

"While our human sensibilities cry out against these restrictions to our liberty, it is necessary for a while to once again observe these regulations in order to protect the NHS and to save lives.

"The fundamental instruction for the next four weeks is clear. To stay at home unless you have to leave to work, buy essentials, take exercise or support a vulnerable person.

"Nevertheless, I am glad that, this time, keeping young people in education will be prioritised. Unlike in the spring, you may exercise outdoors with one other person and access to other medical care will also continue to be available."