Huge blow from new restrictions

Royal Borough: Reactions to strict tier 4 measures

The Royal Borough entering tier 4 coronavirus restrictions has been described as a ‘devastating blow’ by the council leader.

In an extraordinary turn of events, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire will now face a full lockdown over the Christmas period as the Government looks to curb a new COVID-19 variant spreading across London and the South East.

Tier 4 means that nonessential retail, hairdressers and the leisure industry must close along with hospitality venues.

Residents are not allowed to leave their home without a ‘reasonable excuse’ – this can include work, essential activities or exercise, but travel outside a tier 4 area is not permitted.

Household mixing is also not allowed, with exceptions such as support or childcare bubbles and meeting one other person for outdoor exercise.

Reacting to the news when it was announced on Saturday, Cllr Andrew Johnson (Con, Hurley and

Walthams), expressed his devastation.

“I am absolutely devastated that the Royal Borough has moved into tier 4 – effectively a full lockdown,” he said.

“I understand the need to protect everyone and we have seen our rates of coronavirus increasing in the borough, but this news, at this time, is a devastating blow to thousands of families.”

Speaking to the Express this week, the borough’s lead member for health, Cllr Stuart Carroll (Con, Boyn Hill) added: “It is devastating that we have had to move to tier 4 and it is an extremely inopportune time to have to do that with the festive period upon us.

“Not just for families who would ordinarily come together, but also businesses, the charitable and voluntary sector. It is not where we wanted to be at all.

“But when you look at the data, it is the right decision for public health because we do need to push this virus back.”

Health experts do not know if the new variant of coronavirus has reached Berkshire yet, with Meradin Peachey, director at Public Health Berkshire, telling the news to a West Berkshire

Council engagement board on Monday.

Cllr Carroll added that more ‘data analysis’ was needed to determine whether it had reached the Royal Borough, adding the variant ‘is prevalent in other areas and highly likely to spread’.

The health lead said it was ‘pleasing’ to see people taking the COVID vaccine, which has been slowly rolled out to the vulnerable over the last few weeks.

But he urged for people to still follow the guidance after they receive it.

“The vaccine is our ultimate way out of the pandemic,” Cllr Carroll said.

“You have two doses – and you won’t necessarily trigger a full immune response until seven days after the second dose.

“If you are not vaccinated, you can spread it [the virus] to someone else, and that can be someone’s family member. It is real life; this is not a game. It is imperative that everyone gets vaccinated.”

Cllr Carroll added that people should wait until they hear from the NHS and ensure they are registered with a GP.

He also said it was important to check in with others at a time when people’s mental health can suffer, saying ‘it is perfectly normal for people to be struggling’.