Ben Houchen warns of impact on Tees Valley businesses under stricter Covid restrictions

Mayor Houchen issued a statement on Saturday, October 10 saying he understands that the whole of the Tees Valley is expected to go into so-called ‘tier two’ restrictions after the Government outlines plans for a new three-tier system of coronavirus guidelines.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to issue an update to MPs on Monday, October 12, with speculation that some areas could be subject to the new restrictions as early as Wednesday next week.

Details of the tiered system have not yet been confirmed by the Government, but it is understood that the second tier of restrictions could stop people mixing with those outside their households in private dwellings.

It is thought that the third tier of restrictions would be the most strict.

Mayor Houchen has joined other political leaders across northern England this weekend in calling on the Government to provide additional support to any businesses affected by new Covid-19 regulations, which may order them to close.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged in an announcement on Friday, October 9 that the Government would cover two-thirds of an employee’s salary if they cannot work due to such closures.

Mayor Houchen, who confirmed in the same statement that his wife had tested positive for Covid-19 this weekend, said: “The Chancellor announced some more unprecedented support for workers and businesses yesterday and I know this will be welcomed by so many people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool who will have been concerned about how the new regulations would impact them.

“However, with further restrictions set to come into force in the Tees Valley in the coming days, especially for our hospitality businesses, it is essential that more support is given to firms impacted by tier two restrictions.

"Many of the fantastic hospitality businesses we have in our region will not be eligible for this new support as the rules will not legally require them to close, but due to a ban on households mixing, they will suffer a significant fall in customers and trade.

“Whilst nobody wants to be under local lockdown for a moment longer than is absolutely necessary, it is vital we take the appropriate steps now to get the virus back under control.

"By stepping up our fight we can keep as many people as safe as possible from the virus but also make sure our children can keep going to school and businesses which are Covid-secure can remain open.”

A number of other northern leaders – including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham – took part in a press conference on Saturday, urging the Government to provide more funding in support of areas which could face further Covid-19 restrictions across the North East and North West.

Mayor Houchen also called on families living across the Tees Valley to continue following the Government’s rules to aid the country in getting back to normal “as quickly as possible”.

He added: “If we don’t suppress the virus now, there may have to be another damaging national lockdown – and nobody wants that. The impact on everyone’s livelihoods and physical and metal health would be catastrophic.”

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