Cash support hope for business and schools

City boss es have raised the prospect of extra cash to support business and schools affected by the latest round of coronavirus restrictions.

Sunderland has been warned it is in the“last chance saloon” to avoid another full lockdown, with several businesses already taking preemptive decisions to shut temporarily, following a surge in confirmed cases of COVID-19.

But leaders on Wearside have signalled they are aware of the damage already being done to the local economy and suggested ministers could be lining up more help for those affected.

“No one in these areas wants to see these restrictions again, but if that is what we need to do to control the virus,” said Gillian Gibson, director of public health at Sunderland City Council.

“Hopefully we will be getting support from national Government as well as restrictions, to help us support local businesses, schools and care homes.

“I think what is really encouraging is that as a system we’re all working together, and if we work together with our residents then hopefully we can stem the tide and not have these restrictions in place for a long time.” From yesterday, North East households in Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham are banned from mixing indoors in ‘any setting’.

Anyone failing to comply with the regulations risks being fined, although schools and workplaces are exempt from the new rules.