Hartlepool must not be 'lulled into false sense of security' as leaders unpick what lockdown changes mean for town

Coronavirus lockdown scene at Seaton Carew

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave his latest update on measures to deal with Covid-19 on Sunday evening, setting out a ‘roadmap’ for the weeks ahead.

This was followed by the Government publishing a 50-page document on Monday afternoon, setting out more details of its planned timetable for lifting Covid-19 restrictions.

However Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, warned in Hartlepool the number of cases continues to rise.

Therefore he urged residents across Hartlepool to stay safe and continue to respect social distancing, adding they are awaiting more detailed government guidance.

Coun Moore said: “Like everyone, I look forward to the day when we can return to some form of normality, but it is vitally important we are not lulled into a false sense of security at this stage.

“Despite statistics suggesting Covid-19 cases nationally have peaked, local cases continue to rise at a rate which indicates they have not yet reached their peak in Hartlepool.

“We are awaiting further, more detailed, Government guidance but would urge people across Hartlepool to continue to stay safe and respect social distancing.”

Examples were also given as to how the risk of Coronavirus spreading is much lower if social distancing is in place.

Coun Moore added it was important for employers to await further guidance and implement strict safety measures before taking steps to reintroduce workers.

He said: “In a town like Hartlepool where everyone knows everyone, the importance of social distancing should not be underestimated.

“For example, in normal contact with a disease which spreads like coronavirus, people who are ill and pass it on would infect around 400 people within a month.

“With a 50% reduction in social contact, that number falls from 400 to about 15.

“If you get to a 75% reduction in social contact that drops to less than three.

“We do recognise the need to reintroduce some industries but it is really important employers wait until they receive detailed guidance from Government and introduce appropriate Covid-19 safety measures to make sure no one in Hartlepool is put at unnecessary risk.”

It comes as Hartlepool’s Covid-19 death rate per 100,000 of the population has overtaken Redcar and Cleveland’s to become the second highest in the Tees Valley, behind Middlesbrough.

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