Thirsk, Malton and Filey MP: 'Some easing this month' not full relaxation
Thirsk, Malton and Filey's MP says a flexible view is needed when it comes to coronavirus restrictions easing this month.
Thirsk, Malton and Filey's MP says a flexible view is needed when it comes to coronavirus restrictions easing this month.
Kevin Hollinrake reckons we should wait and see what happens before the final relaxation of the rules on the 21st.
It is as the delta (Indian) variant is making scientists split their decision on whether it is safe enough to scrap all restrictions on that date.
Kevin said:
"The vaccination roll-out is going fantastically well of course but conversely this new variant is pretty clear that the vaccine isn't quite as effective, certainly after one dose, so the concern is if we relax things too quickly whether it's best to wait a little time yet before we decide whether to go for the full easing of restrictions on the 21st of June.
"I don't think we'd ever see a final lifting of restrictions this month. I think it would be the next step forward, it was never seen as carte blanche to everything, so I think there will be some easing on the 21st; exactly how far we can go with that, so the numbers of people who can meet indoors for example or whether you need to still wear a mask, still needs to be determined.
"I mean it's like anything else. I think all the way through this we know things can happen, we've been let down a few times when things haven't gone quite according to plan with the new variants, not things you can really cater for at the time, so I think we've got to be sensible, pragmatic and prepare to take a flexible view.
"We want every step change we make to be irreversible so what we don't want to see is to go to step 4, floodgates are open in terms of being able to do everything and then having to step back from that. I think it'll be much better to take a slightly more cautious step, potentially on the 21st, and then go into further easing of lockdown measures beyond that.
"Most people now are able to have a lot more freedom than they have previously which is good. There are still some businesses of course, particularly small businesses, that are still unable to trade properly, particularly in the wedding sector and nightclubs so we want to open this as quickly as we can but nevertheless, we've got the be cautious and follow the data."