Lockdown was inevitable says town hall boss
COUNCIL leaders and the MP in Rochdale have spoken out on the latest lockdown and closures of schools.
The new lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 8pm, on Monday, taking effect from midnight on Tuesday.
Before the announcement dozens of schools across Greater Manchester said they would not reopen in full including Little Heaton CE Primary in Middleton and Ashfield Valley Primary, which was closed to Nursery, Rec and Year 6.
The latest coronavirus figures show a rise in rates in every area of Greater Manchester with Rochdale sixth highest out of the 10 Manchester boroughs with 290 cases for every 100,000 people. Trafford was highest with 346 cases.
Many councillors believe the lockdown was inevitable, but have condemned the government for their failure to act sooner, and allowing children to return to school for one day.
The new variant of coronavirus is up to 50% more infectious than its predecessor, and spreads quickly in children.
Tony Lloyd MP said: “I think it was inevitable because we know that in the south of the country the hospitals are now not treating cancer patients, operations that have already been arranged.
“We don’t want to get to that position here and in Rochdale in particular.
“I think if this was going to happen [the lockdown] we should have done it already.
“That’s the worrying thing about this Prime Minister - the decision we have got will work so far but there are lots of issues around education.
“One of the biggest outstanding issues is support for the people, the small businesses, of which there are a number in Rochdale.
“A lot have been in touch with me who have had little in the way of support.
“At the end of the day it’s bad for them as small businesses but also we want them to be up and running when we return to whatever normal looks like.”
Mr Lloyd also raised concerns about distance learning for children whose parents may not be able to afford the cost of the internet or devices.
He said: “We need to be sure distance learning can work. We need to make sure all school pupils have access to a tablet or mobile phones that can do the job, but more importantly I have written to other MPs and internet providers.
“We need to be making sure that people aren’t being excluded because they can’t afford the cost of the internet.
“These are things the government have to worry about.
“We have got to do things together.
“It’s the lack of preparation from the government that is astonishing.
“Have the lockdown, but prepare for it.
“They have had a few days to ink about this and it should not have come as a surprise.”
Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Allen Brett, also added that the lockdown was “inevitable.” He said: “We can’t be happy but I think it was inevitable.
“Now the decision has been made we have to live with it but we have to follow it up with financial help and make sure the vaccine gets delivered properly so we can do it locally.
“But once again they’re trying to run it from national instead of locally.
“Locally, we can run it because we know the people and where they are.
“Trying to do it from a national system won’t work.
“If local GPs have got it they can run it.”
Coun Brett also has concerns about access to education.
He said: “Again we are going to need to make sure that everybody has online access and that everybody knows what’s going on.
“We have made the decision to cancel exams which is a relief but the thing we now need is certainty.
“It’s early days but we need a timetable to put in place from when things can return to normality.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party in Rochdale, Coun Andy Kelly, said: “There are a couple of instant reactions - the first one is we could have easily done this before the kids went back to school.
“We knew what the predictions were going to be.
“I have friends who are teachers who were planning, and getting ready, and had the stress of getting ready.
“It’s different preparing for online - a lot of wasted time now.
“They should have done this last week and given families and parents the time to prepare.
“On a personal level it’s here we go again.
“I think people are feeling nervous and lonely and upset. We need to look after each other.
“The only way we can get through this is acceleration of the vaccine.
“If the government aren’t 110% focused on it then they aren’t doing the right thing.
“It will cost more on furlough and grants and mental health services.
“We need to look after the most vulnerable people, and all take responsibility with this.
“We need to stick to the guidance, and look after each other.
“We will get there.”