Second national lockdown

The Leader of Northumberland County Council has issued a message to residents and businesses following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 31 October regarding a second national lockdown, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December.

“Firstly, I want to thank everyone in our county for their sterling efforts to stop the spread of the virus.

“We know that the precautions we have taken so far have been tough on all of us, on our families and on our businesses, and these restrictions have helped, however cases are still high and the virus continues to rise across the country.

“I know this second national lockdown will be even harder on all of us, and news of this will be both frustrating and disappointing in equal measure, but each and every one of us must work through this together to protect our most vulnerable and do everything we can to avoid putting additional pressure on those who care for us in our local NHS – it is imperative that everyone follows the latest Government guidelines to save lives and protect the NHS.

“The health and wellbeing of our residents is our absolute top priority, and we will continue to provide essential council services for our residents. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to support the most vulnerable members of our community, and this vital work will continue alongside supporting our residents with critical day-to-day services.

“Our great county has shown fantastic community spirit throughout this challenging year, and I have no doubt that this will continue with family, friends and neighbours supporting one another where they are safely able to over the coming weeks. And we’ll continue to do our bit to support those who need it most through Northumberland Communities Together.

“I’m pleased to hear that the furlough scheme will be extended throughout November, helping to protect local jobs and our economy, which will be welcome news to many.

“However, I am seeking further clarification from Government as soon as possible around what support is available for those businesses affected, including our tourism and hospitality sector, as well as support for those that are self-employed.

“Of course, we will continue to do all we can to support our health partners and our residents. It’s so important we all continue to play our part to protect yourself, protect others, and protect Northumberland.

“I will bring you more information in due course, particularly details on any of our services which may be impacted by the new restrictions.

“Thank you once again to the people of Northumberland for their continued efforts to protect our community.”

Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council 

For full details on the new government restrictions, please see here >>> https://bit.ly/2HTs3Rv

The latest official advice from the government about what will happen now is:

On Monday, the Prime Minister will set out our plans to Parliament. On Wednesday, Parliament will have the opportunity to debate and vote on these measures which, if passed, will come into force on Thursday.

• He will tell the public that they must stay at home, and may only leave home for limited reasons, including: education; work or volunteering, if it is impossible for do this from home; exercise and recreation outdoors; medical reasons, appointments and to escape injury or harm; provision of care for a child – including informal childcare – or vulnerable person. There is no exemption for staying away from home on holiday – so people cannot do so in this country or elsewhere – but people can stay away for work where necessary.
• Non-essential shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed – but will be able to provide takeaway. Essential shops will stay open: there is no need for people to stock up.
• Workplaces should stay open where people cannot work from home – for example in the construction or manufacturing sectors.
• Adults living alone will still be able to form support bubbles, and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated.
• Those who are clinically vulnerable, or over the age of 60, will be advised to be especially careful to follow the rules. The Government will not ask people to shield in the same way again.

But there will be some differences compared to March:

• These are time-limited measures. On the 2 December, we will seek to ease restrictions, on a local and regional basis, according to the latest data.
• Our priority remains keeping young people in education – so formal and informal childcare, early years settings, schools, colleges and universities will all remain open. Our senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be.
• We will also keep provision for non-COVID-19 healthcare needs going. We will continue to say clearly to the public that unless their clinicians tell them otherwise they should continue to use the NHS, get their scans, turn up for their appointments and pick up their treatments.

This aggressive action allows us the prospect of a better December. The alternative would be even more stringent, and longer-lasting, interventions through December and thereafter.

What happens next depends on each and every one of us. It is therefore necessary for me to ask you to join the Government in appealing to the public to: Stay at Home. Protect the NHS. and Save Lives.
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Economic support

Over the past eight months of this crisis we have helped millions of people to continue to provide for their families.

But now – along with many other countries around the world – we face a tough winter ahead. We have always said that we will do whatever it takes as the situation evolves.

Now, as restrictions get tougher, we are taking steps to provide further financial support to protect jobs and businesses. These changes will provide a provide a vital safety net for people across the UK.

• Extend Furlough for November. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – known as the furlough scheme – will be extended until the end of November to cover the new restrictions with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked.
• ‍Support businesses forced to close. Business premises which are legally forced to close to receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month in England. ‍
• Extend Mortgage holiday. Mortgage holiday will be extended to reassure homeowners. Mortgage payment holidays will no longer end today.
• ‍Additional support for local authorities. £1.1 billion will also be provided to Local Authorities to enable them to support businesses.

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Stay at Home. Protect the NHS. And Save Lives

We will get through this – but we must act now to contain this autumn surge. We are not going back to the full-scale lockdown of March and April. It is less prohibitive and less restrictive.

But from Thursday the basic message is the same: Stay at Home. Protect the NHS. And Save Lives