Heartbreak as PM cancels Christmas for so many

THE prime minister’s bombshell announcement on Saturday would have been a hammer blow for so many families across the region. This year has been blighted by the pandemic and there seems to be no end to the havoc and disruption it has wreaked this year.

We were all desperately hoping the virus was easing and life was starting to return to some sort of normality and we could enjoy the Christmas period with friends and family.

Sadly for so many of us, that is no longer the case after Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant joined many other areas by being moved into tier four.

That will feel like Christmas has been cancelled. It is heartbreaking for so many people and businesses, especially at such late notice.

It wouldn’t have been an easy decision from the PM, but the timing and inconsistencies regarding the rules appears a lottery that is hard to take for so many.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said: ‘The government is yet again two steps behind, with indecision and confusion over how to limit the virus’ spread before the festive season putting our NHS at grave risk in the new year.

‘What is clear is the current tiered system is failing to stem the spread of the virus, and ministerial inaction has led to infections out of control in certain parts of the country again.’

A valid point, but we have to take guidance from the science and as Helen Atkinson, Portsmouth City Council’s director of public health said: “Making these sacrifices now could prevent an even larger spike of cases in January and February, keeping us all safer until we can get vaccinated.’

This are trying times, but hopes are high the vaccine will ease these draconian measures. Let’s hope for a brighter 2021!