North Yorkshire MP: Don’t send county into tier two
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Last updated Oct 22, 2020
The new full-time covid testing site in Harrogate.

A North Yorkshire MP has urged the government to “scotch rumours” that North Yorkshire is heading for tier two restrictions.

Kevin Hollinrake told the Stray Ferret it was only fair on businesses to impose tighter measures when there was an “absolute need”.

The MP, whose Thirsk and Malton constituency has relatively low infection rates, said district-wide rather than county-wide measures could be introduced if necessary to reflect the variable rates in North Yorkshire. He said:

“I have made the case for a more localised, evidenced-based approach regularly to the Prime Minister and Health Secretary, including twice last week on the floor of the House and will continue to do so.”

Public health officials earlier this week said there were “ongoing discussions” about moving the county and the wider Yorkshire region up a tier.

Dr Lincoln Sargaent, director of public health at North Yorkshire County Council, said there was a national desire to “simplify” the system.

But in a Commons debate last night, Mr Hollinrake asked Edward Argar, minister of state for health, to “scotch rumours” about North Yorkshire moving to tier two.


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He said:

“If there is any need to put us in a higher tier, will he look to do that on a district-wide level, where there is significant variation across North Yorkshire, rather than purely at county-wide level?”

Mr Argar said the position remained that same as last week when Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government was considering that option.

North Yorkshire is in tier one but is surrounded by tier two areas, including York and West Yorkshire.