Harrogate Lib Dems slam Tier 2 decision and warn town's hospitality sector will be 'decimated'

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Harrogate and Knaresborough, Harrogate Lib Dems leader Coun Pat Marsh said:

"We are very disappointed by the news, especially as our rate of infection had dropped below the national level.

"This will have a huge impact on our hospitality sector and the Government needs to step up and support these businesses otherwise when we do eventually emerge from this our hospitality sector will be decimated with a severe impact on not only the economy of the district but on the social side of our lives.

"With regards to the other restrictions if that is what is required to ensure we keep each other safe I think we have to accept this and behave and do what is asked of us.

Coun Marsh continued: "Liverpool has seen a difference since it undertook mass testing, something I asked the Government to do, via a petition, in March of this year, the petition was rejected and the response from Government was that this was not their responsibility!

"I still feel this was a shocking and a totally irresponsible response.

"If they had taken it on one just has to look at Liverpool to see what a difference it can make. As the World Health Organisation in March said, TEST, TEST, TEST."

Judith Rogerson, Harrogate & Knaresborough Lib Dems, parliamentary spokesperson said:

"I believe this could have been avoided if the Government had got on top of track and trace.

"The Lib Dems' spokesperson for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Munira Wilson asked a good question in Parliament, asking that the Government ensures that communication is clear so everyone understands what they can/can’t/should do.

"Without clarity we could undo all that has been achieved by our sacrifices in various lockdowns."

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