'We didn't ask for this' - Hartlepool council leader says new lockdown restrictions go too far

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Thursday restrictions in force in other parts of the region would be extended to Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

They will come into force at one minute past midnight on Saturday morning (October 3).

It includes a ban on people from different households mixing in any indoor setting unless as part of a support bubble.

Hartlepool Borough Council had asked for controls on households visiting each other to help control a sharp rise in infections, but wanted them to still be able to meet socially in pubs, bars and restaurants.

The local authority says the restrictions were announced by the Government with little consultation.

Council Leader Councillor Shane Moore said: “What’s extremely disappointing is that our request to the Government was simple because statistics show that 80% of new cases are the result of household visits.

“We made a clear request to have household visits restricted for the time being until we are able to get this situation under control – it really was that simple and clear.

“What’s come back is a ban not only on household visits but also on visits to any social setting with anybody you know, so that means you can’t, for example, go to a Covid-secure pub, café or restaurant with family of friends.

“This will have a seriously detrimental effect on people’s mental health and also have a devastating impact on local businesses, and we would urge ministers to think again.”

Cllr Moore accused the Government of reneging on assurances that enhanced restrictions would not be introduced until the council had confirmed in writing that it was happy with what was being proposed.

It is not clear how long the new restrictions will be in place.

Cllr Moore said he said he hoped people would be able to experience some normality over Christmas and urged everyone to pull together to tackle the virus.

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill said on Twitter he was angry at the lack of local consultation adding: “Absolutely disgraceful one size fits all approach. Totally angered by this.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here.

Thank you.