BACK INTO LOCKDOWN
■ SCHOOLS TO CLOSE FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS ■ PEOPLE TOLD TO STAY AT HOME AND WORK FROM HOME ■ CITY MAYOR RESPONDS WITH SOMBRE WARNING ■ PM TELLS NATION NEW RULES WILL STAY INTO FEBRUARY ■ CORONAVIRUS LATEST INSIDE ON
IT will take years for our city to recover as the need in Bristol has never been greater.” That was the sombre warning from Mayor Marvin Rees as a third national lockdown was confirmed last night by Boris Johnson.
Infections and Covid hospital admissions have been rising across Bristol and the UK over the past seven days.
Mr Rees warned stress, worry and anxiety have been building in our city, as people have lost their jobs, and cannot work while they are forced to homeschool again.
Yesterday evening he appealed to everyone to ‘yet again pull together’ to turn the rising tide of infections, protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and do their very best to stay home and save lives’.
He said: “I know how hard people have worked over the past months enduring changes to their lives that we never could have imagined.
“Thank you for doing your very best, but it is clear, we still must to do more.
“While no one wants businesses and schools closed, or limits on meeting friends and family, we must once again pull together and harness the commitment that pulled us through the previous two lockdowns. It is tough for us all, but we must stay home and save lives. “The virus needs controlling to save lives and we can all help with this by following the guidance. However we must also recognise that the continued measures are having a detrimental impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.
“The situation is causing stress, worry and anxiety and the long term effects of that will take years for our communities to recover from. The need in Bristol has never been greater.”
Talks between unions, schools and council chiefs are continuing. “Closing schools adds pressures for parents and teachers and this last-minute notice to shut schools impacts on jobs and household finances alongside the demands of home learning,” he said.
The mayor has also renewed calls for the government to provide assurance that lockdown restrictions will be fully funded for businesses and self-employed people unable to work.
“We need to ensure people are fully supported with the right financial packages so are once again calling for more clear and urgent action to save local businesses, and ensure no one falls through the gaps in financial support,” he said.
“Monthly funding packages for councils to support additional lockdown restrictions must continue for as long as these new restrictions are in place. So far, the government has announced no further allocations to the Additional Restricted Grant, meaning the funding we do have is simply not sufficient to meet the level of need we have in the city.”
Out of Bristol’s 30,200 selfemployed, only 24,400 were eligible for the original Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) in the first national lockdown.
The council is also ramping up efforts to offer mental health and wellbeing support to people in the city who are finding the ongoing situation particularly demanding.
The mayor appealed to residents to support this by showing graciousness to one another in the face of another big challenge for the city.
Mr Rees said: “I know how hard the past months have been on everyone’s lives, relationships, work and mental health, and I thank everyone for their efforts so far. I appeal to you all once again to continue to show kindness and love. Look out for neighbours, friends, family and those most vulnerable or at risk of domestic abuse.
“We must all follow the guidance that is in place to keep us safe so we can return to normal sooner. Please do the most you can do, stay at home and save lives.”