Warnings of tougher restrictions for North Yorkshire after lockdown ends

There are warnings that restrictions across North Yorkshire could still be harsh after lockdown ends.

Before it came into force, the county was placed in tier one, which is the lowest level.

But the infection rate per 100,000 people in North Yorkshire, which is 280, has now passed the England average of just under 245.

Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult Services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

"This is a dramatic change, it's not unexpected. We have been warning about this. It does also give us a pause for thought and we need to act now to stop household mixing to really limit how far we travel, to take the advice we've been given by the Government.

"As North Yorkshire, we went into the lockdown at tier one. However, as we see the cases at the moment then we have a real concern that we'll face tougher restrictions coming out of the lockdown, than we faced coming into the lockdown. That's why it's really important to do all we can together to tackle this virus."

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire, said:

"When a pandemic is in full flight as it now is, it's like a train that has picked up speed; very few things can stop it and that's why we're at a stage now where you do need all the powers through lockdown to put the brakes on.

"I think that many parts of the community are still relatively complacent because they haven't seen the full impact of a second wave. Nothing can stop a pandemic in full flight until people begin to restrict their activities considerably."