Coronavirus: Politicians urge residents to remain 'diligent' as Portsmouth enters tier two

POLITICIANS have urged city residents to remain 'diligent' as tier two restrictions come into effect but say infection rates are 'going in the right direction.'
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From December 2 the national lockdown will be lifted but people in Portsmouth, Southampton and the rest of Hampshire will have to abide by specific rules as set by government.

Portsmouth City Council leader, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, described tier two as a 'sensible choice' for the city but hoped restrictions could be downgraded to tier one in a couple of weeks.

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Portsmouth placed in tier 2
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

Picture: Sarah Standing (191119-2516)Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

Picture: Sarah Standing (191119-2516)
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson. Picture: Sarah Standing (191119-2516)
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He said: 'The fall in our numbers is happening really fast. So we have gone from 313 cases per 100,000 of the population to 203 today (Nov 26). And I have had a preview of figures to be released tonight and I understand they will be below 200.

'A week ago 11 per cent of tests were coming back positive, that's now down to eight per cent and the number of people over the age of 60 who are getting it is falling. Everything is going in the right direction fast.'

Under tier two pubs and bars will remain shut, unless they serve drinks with ‘substantial’ meals, and restaurants can stay open until 11pm. All shops can re-open.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson added: ‘We knew that pubs and clubs were producing a huge spike in infections and we have got to make sure we don't let that happen. That's going to be very difficult for everyone especially the hospitality sector but we need to make sure we keep infections down.’

MP Stephen Morgan 

Picture: Habibur RahmanMP Stephen Morgan 

Picture: Habibur Rahman
MP Stephen Morgan Picture: Habibur Rahman
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Portsmouth South MP and the city’s Labour leader, Stephen Morgan, had concerns for local businesses under the new rules. He said: ‘Ministers must make sure additional restrictions to protect public health come side by side with economic support.

‘There are so many pubs, restaurants and small businesses in Portsmouth which are particularly worried what today’s announcement means for them as we enter the crucial Christmas period. That’s why I’ve been calling for an expansion of the business support package to help those local businesses affected.’

He added: ‘The tiers will only be successful if government provides far better communication with decisions based on scientific evidence for Portsmouth people.’

Cllr Luke Stubbs, deputy leader of the Tory group in Portsmouth, agreed. He said: ‘The longer the hospitality sector is closed down the more lasting damage there will be. I hope there can be some change over time and everyone needs to remain diligent.’

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But he didn’t think Portsmouth alone could be downgraded to tier one.

'The issue is Hampshire is treated as a whole so if there's a large outbreak in one area the whole country faces the relevant restrictions,' he said.

'For example Fareham and Gosport were among some of the lowest infection rates in the country but have been included with the rest of Hampshire.'

For Fareham council leader, Cllr Sean Woodward, the announcement was ‘no surprise’. He said: ‘We were prepared to go into Tier 2 before lockdown happened. In some parts of Hampshire like Portsmouth, Southampton and Havant we had seen rising cases.

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‘The message is just abide by the rules and hopefully we will come through this.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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