Today’s decisions are ones no Prime Minister wanted to make.
It is the Prime Minister’s foremost responsibility to keep our people safe. We face an enemy we cannot see, but that does not mean that the response is any different. In a pandemic, the Government must make decisions sometimes on an hourly basis, and it is absolutely right that the Prime Minister make urgent changes to protect us all. He is doing what it takes, and that is the brave and right thing to do.
The change in the situation we face is just too stark for us not to act. But many will be upset, and I understand that.
I sympathise hugely with all those across the country who will no longer be able to see their extended families and friends at Christmas. After a very hard and difficult year, many of us have been looking forward to time with our loved ones. It will also be disappointing for those now solely able to see their bubbles on Christmas day itself.
These are decisions not taken lightly. Thanks to the United Kingdom's world-leading genomic sequencing technology, the Government has isolated a strain circulating that is up to 70 per cent more infectious. There is no evidence that this strain has a higher mortality, or a more severe illness. There is no evidence that one of the vaccines will be less effective.
However, more infections will mean more hospital occupancies, and, ultimately more deaths.
That is why travel to Tier 4 areas, such as nearby Peterborough is now prohibited, and it is why the Government has announced significant restrictions on Christmas.
These are the rules for Tier 4 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home
The new Christmas rules are:
- Three households can still meet, but only on Christmas Day itself (not 23rd-27th)
- Those living in Tier 4 areas should not mix with anyone outside their own household at Christmas, though support bubbles will remain in place for those at particular risk of loneliness and isolation. So unfortunately any family or friends in Tier 4 areas cannot spend Christmas with anyone from Rutland and Melton, or any tier 1-3 areas, except for the two exceptions set out.
The first dose of vaccine has already been given to 350,000 people across our country, and I expect to have vaccination centres up and running in Oakham and Melton before Christmas. Residents of Rutland and Melton will already have been invited to vaccination, and some vaccinated at Leicester General, or in Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire if that is where their GP surgery is based.
The vaccine gives us the light at the end of the tunnel.
While restrictions are relaxed for Christmas day, an abundance of caution leading up to the day itself will help keep everyone safe. The virus and the new strain are still circulating, and rates are rising or holding steady in Rutland and Melton. They are not going down.
All my best to you and yours –
Alicia
