I am grateful to everyone who has contacted me regarding the vote in Parliament on the latest Covid-19 measures.
Last night in the House of Commons I supported a return to the Tier approach. This means that a number of the national restrictions that have been in place in North West Norfolk for the last month will be lifted. The easing of restrictions includes, for example, that the rule of six outside applies; shops, indoor and outdoor markets, and personal care services can reopen as can gyms; events including theatre and cinema will resume and fans are allowed back into football: and collective worship and weddings can return.
Before deciding how to vote, I considered carefully the various views expressed by constituents and local businesses, as well as talking to Norfolk’s Public Health Director, local NHS, ministers, and looking closely at the data.
As the R rate has reduced the return to tiers should have been a straightforward choice. The decision was made harder by the disappointing decision that means Norfolk will be in Tier 2 - I wanted to see us in the lower tier as I know how frustrating, painful, and costly the restrictions are, particularly to our hospitality sector and people’s wellbeing.
However, I did not want our area to remain in national restrictions when tiers offer a more targeted approach with fewer restrictions. So with a commitment from the Prime Minister that this and other rankings will be reviewed by 16 December I voted for the changes.
With the good news today that the UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically approved vaccine for supply, our focus needs to be on continuing to keep the virus under control so that we can move to a lower tier.
James
