Harrogate MP issues statement on town's coronavirus fears

Mr Jones said he has been contacted by concerned constituents and business owners who say they are experiencing a fall in trade due to fears around the virus.

Mr Jones said: “I am reassured that our area is well-prepared should cases of coronavirus be found here. There are currently no cases of coronavirus in our immediate area, but there are some cases in neighbouring local authorities. That is why our local health teams are being vigilant and have the necessary processes and procedures in place.

“We are currently in the containment phase - but the advice that is being issued daily by the NHS team leading our national response is that this will change if as expected the number of cases grows.

"Our local discussions focused on the resilience of services to ensure they keep running, how they would handle an increase in demand. The NHS has responded well already, setting up testing up systems and developing plans. Remember, at the start of December no-one knew that coronavirus even existed”.

Locally, Mr Jones has held discussions with the chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Trust Steve Russell, the director of Acute Commission at North Yorkshire CCG, Simon Cox, the chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, Richard Flinton, and the chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, Wallace Sampson.

In addition to these discussions, Mr Jones has attended briefing meetings in parliament with the Rt Hon Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health, and the Chief Medical Officer, Prof Chris Whitty.

Mr Jones said: “Nationally, tackling this issue is the top priority. The Government has published advice for healthcare professionals, the public, schools and many other organisations. Plans are in place to ensure that our lives can continue as normally as possible while taking the action necessary to contain the virus and treat people who catch it.”