MPs demand: Why are we in lockdown, how do we get out?

LABOUR PAIR ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT AS LOCKDOWN HITS 100 DAYS

LEICESTER’S MPs are calling on the government to explain why Leicester remains under a regime of lockdown when other areas with higher infection rates have no restrictions.

As Leicester reached its 100th day of local lockdown, Jon Ashworth and Liz Kendall have hit out at the way ministers have dealt with the city since measures were first imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus at the start of July.

Mr Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, and Ms Kendall, the shadow social care minister, issued a joint statement.

They have particularly asked why Leicester, with a rolling seven-day rate of infection of 129 cases per 100,000 cases, has a ban on household mixing while Nottingham, with a much higher rate (440 cases per 100,000) does not.

They said: “The city, its businesses and its people have suffered a great deal during these 100 days.

“On June 30, non-essential retail in the city had to close and 100 days later the people of Leicester are still subject to restrictions on meeting in each other’s houses and private gardens.

“We all have to play our part in reducing the spread of this virus, but if we are to have our freedoms restricted then the government has to be clear why this is necessary.

“Unclear messaging, or the lack of communication, has been a constant thread during these past 100 days.

“This started with the Health Secretary’s first statement on June 29 when it was initially unclear when the restrictions would be reviewed.

“If restrictions are imposed then a clear review date is a must.”

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has told the Mercury the next review is due this week.

The MPs said: “Despite the government’s promise to help local businesses that had to close, or could not open as in the rest of England, this help was only limited to those businesses that had not received support under the Grant Support Schemes.

“There was no extra support for shops that had to close or hospitality venues that could not open. “This hit all businesses but particularly businesses in the city centre that are a vital part of Leicester’s economy, such as food and drink businesses and evening and nighttime businesses.

“Time and again people have been left confused as to what they can and cannot do. “It also has been unclear whether it is the law that they cannot do something or just guidance. “After the end of the national lockdown, the biggest restrictions placed on people’s freedoms came late in the evening on July 20 when the government announced that ‘new rules on social gatherings will be introduced in Northern England to stop the spread of Covid-19 – These changes will also apply in Leicester city’. “Over two months later these restrictions on people’s social contacts are still in force. “During this time not only have people not been able to meet in each other’s homes and gardens, they have been prevented from visiting their loved ones in care homes.

“This has caused immeasurable pain and suffering for the many families with relatives in care homes.

“So, after 100 days, and over two months of restrictions on people meeting others:

“It is unclear why Leicester is still subject to these restrictions. The infection rate in Leicester is far lower than that in Exeter and Nottingham, neither of which are subject to any restrictions.

“It is unclear what has to happen for these restrictions to be lifted in Leicester. When the Health Secretary was asked in early July what the infection rate had to be to come out of the lockdown, he would not give a figure.

“We both want this virus to be defeated and for the people of Leicester to be safe, but if we are to be deprived of our freedoms we need to know why this is happening, what is needed for the restrictions to be lifted and when the situation will be reviewed.

“The government is failing on all these, which is simply not good enough.”

The Mercury has contacted DHSC for comment.

If we are to be deprived of our freedoms we need to know why this is happening

Jon Ashworth and Liz Kendall