Derbyshire MPs frustrated at 'disastrous' tier three decision

Derbyshire will enter the tier three ‘very high’ alert level from December 2 when lockdown ends, meaning many businesses will remain closed and households will not be allowed to meet up apart from in public outdoor areas.

Toby Perkins, Labour MP for Chesterfield, reacting to the news, said: “This is disastrous news and MPs have had no say in what happens in their area.

“Government failure on testing and a delayed lockdown has led us here and businesses and jobs must be better protected if we expect them to be there after Christmas.

“Matt Hancock, the health secretary, claims that MPs and local areas were consulted – this is not true.

“Government briefed us to tell us what the figures (for local Covid case rates) were but neither MPs nor council leaders have had a say on which tier we are in.

“I think it is absolutely devastating for the hospitality sector.

"This is the most important part of the year for many of them.

"If they don’t get to open their doors before Christmas they might not be opening them after Christmas.”

Robert Largan, Conservative MP the High Peak, commented: “I am really disappointed that all of Derbyshire, including the High Peak, will be in the very high alert.

“The number of cases in most of the High Peak are falling – though parts of Buxton have seen an increase – but numbers are still too high and the whole of Derbyshire is included in tier three.

“These restrictions will be reviewed every 14 days and if cases continue to come down then I hope that we can get restrictions eased as soon as possible.

“I know this is really frustrating and difficult but, with several promising vaccines on the horizon and with cases moving in the right direction, I know we‘ll get through this.”

Lee Rowley, Conservative MP for North East Derbyshire, said: “From my perspective, I’m really glad that we are moving out of national restrictions and that lots of daily life can return.

"I had hoped we might – just – get into tier two but, given the numbers in our area, which are reducing but remain high, it hasn’t been possible this time.

“The next review is in a fortnight and I hope the numbers will be in a better place then to allow a move down a tier then.

“Of course, I realise that there will continue to be a significant impact on some sectors – particularly hospitality – businesses and just on our daily lives in general for now.

“I know that is a huge frustration and concern – and I share many of them.

“Yet, the challenge remains that this virus is causing significant problems for us both locally and nationally and, until we have broader solutions, we have to try our best to minimise it.

“Looking ahead, there is sunlight on the horizon and we should be able to get back to normality in 2021 with the vaccine.

“The key, at this late stage, is to try to get there with the least impact on people, health, businesses and the economy.

“That is an imperfect balance to strike and there are no absolute answers – but another 700 people died yesterday after testing positive and that is something we must not forget about.

“My focus will be on trying to encourage these numbers down further so we can make the case in two weeks’ time for a review and a step down to a looser tier in our county.”

Mark Fletcher, the Conservative MP for Bolsover, said: “I’m disappointed that we aren’t able to be in a lower tier as I know how hard the last couple of weeks have been for those in the hospitality sector, as well as those with businesses that have had to close down.

“However, this announcement isn’t unexpected, and we need to all keep following the rules to make sure that cases in our area continue to fall so that we have the chance to move into a lower tier.

"We have improved on where we were a few weeks ago, but case rates do remain high.

“I remain in constant conversation with local public healthcare officials and officials at the Department for Health and have continued to raise concerns from those constituents with businesses that have been heavily impacted by the restrictions.”

Under tier three rules, different households will not be allowed to mix indoors or most outdoor places, with an exception for support bubbles.

Meetings are restricted to public spaces and there would be a restriction of six people maximum meeting up.

All hotels, B&Bs, pubs, bars and restaurants must remain closed but takeaway and drive-through food services are allowed to continue operating.

Indoor entertainment venues will remain closed, including cinemas.

Everyone who can work from home ‘should do so’, the tier three rules dictate.

All retail shops will be allowed to stay open in Tier 3.

Schools and education settings will also be open, along with leisure centres, gyms and personal care businesses such as hair salons.

The government advises against overnight stays, with an exemption for support bubbles.

Tier three rules are to avoid travelling outside your area other than where necessary, such as for work and education.

The government also says people should ‘reduce the number of journeys where possible’ and ‘avoid car sharing with people outside of your household or support bubble’.

Group exercise activities and sports, in tier three, should not take place but organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.

Covid-secure arrangements to allow care home visits can allow and should include substantial screens, visiting pods and window visits.