‘These restrictions are going to be miserable’ says MP

Horsham MP Jeremy Quin has stressed the need to keep people safe from Covid-19 while the vaccination programme is rolled out.

Reacting to the implementation of a third lockdown this week, he said the new strain of coronavirus had ‘completely changed the trajectory’ of the disease, with cases now soaring.

He added: “The objective remains the same - to support the NHS and its staff so they can continue to provide care to those who need it at what is always our hospitals’ busiest time of year.

“The means we all need to employ to deliver that objective have had to change rapidly, just as the the virus itself has changed.

“These restrictions are going to be miserable and I particularly feel for pupils, teachers and parents who had geared up for the school return.”

Horsham Liberal Democrats said they supported the new national lockdown, and hoped it would work despite its ‘late implementation’ alongside the vaccination programe to slow and halt the infection.

Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith said: “I share the immense disappointment that the new strain of the virus has led to another lock down.

“In particular I feel for those students who have now had substantial portions of their education impacted and the many businesses who would much rather open their doors than survive on government support however welcome that is in these difficult times.”

He paid tribute to key workers and called for the vaccination programme to exceed its ‘ambitious targets’.