The Harrogate district will see its schools and non-essential shops closed with immediate effect as a new national lockdown begins.
In response to an “alarming” rise in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions this evening.
Mr Johnson announced that people across England will be asked to stay at home from tonight, only leaving for essential shopping, medical needs, work where it cannot be done from home, and to escape domestic violence.
The late announcement of school closures, though not unexpected, is likely to cause concern for parents who once again find themselves supporting home schooling and juggling work with childcare.
Mr Johnson said:
“We have been doing everything in our power to keep the schools open because we know how important each day in education is to children’s life chances…
“I want to stress that the problem isn’t that schools are unsafe for children. The problem is that schools may nonetheless act as vectors for transmission, causing the virus to spread between households.”
MPs will be recalled to Parliament on Wednesday to vote on the measures. The Prime Minister said they would come into force from the early hours of the morning, leaving MPs to vote retrospectively. He added:
“Now, more than ever, we must pull together. You must follow the new rules.”
Mr Johnson concluded his announcement with the same message as he gave when last March’s first lockdown was announced: “Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”
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It comes as cases across the country have soared along with hospital admissions in parts of the south.
Last week, daily cases in the Harrogate district hit a record high as more than 100 infections were confirmed. That high was beaten by today’s announcement of 141 new cases.
Meanwhile, residents are raising concerns about whether the vaccine is being delivered in the district, after the vaccination centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground remained closed for much of the Christmas and new year break.
Are you ready for the new lockdown? What will the impact be on your family, work or business? Send your views to [email protected].
