Harrogate MP warns 'it's not job done' yet as lockdown starts to ease

In a week which has seen a partial easing of social distancing, as well as new moves towards reopening the economy, Andrew Jones warned returning to normal would not be straight-forward and there was no room for complacency in the battle to save lives in the face of Covid-19.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough MP said: “The news here and from many countries is that we are starting to see a gradual release from lockdown.

“Judging from my inbox, this has been generally welcomed but cautiously so.

“We are in a position to ease some measures because the science tells us that we are past the peak, and the reproduction rate of the virus has fallen.

“That does not mean job done.

“People are still getting infected and dying in the tragedies we learn about every day.

“That is why we have to stay alert. There is no room for complacency.”

Not for the first time since the crisis began, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Tory Government have been criticised this week for confusion and mixed messages as it attempts to start the process of reopening Britain.

But Mr Jones said the situation the country found itself provided no quick or easy solutions and it may turn out to be a “bumpy road” back to normality.

Mr Jones said: “For weeks now the Prime Minister has been pressed for ‘the plan’ to chart our way out of lockdown.

“Even before it was published some were saying how confusing it is.

“Those people assume that coming out of lockdown is a straight-line path.

“Surely our experience of the last few months has shown us that it isn’t like that and won’t be like that. We are trying to accomplish two things - getting people back to their everyday lives and stamping out the contagion.

“Both can be done at the same time but it is likely to be a bumpy path rather than a smooth process.”

Mr Jones said it would remain crucial in any future relaxation of lockdown rules that everyone applied common sense to their daily lives and to their daily routines at home and at work.

He said: “The more strictly we comply with the rules, we will get through this more quickly and with less pain.

“We have seen the benefits of complying already - our NHS has not been overwhelmed. That has saved lives.”

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Andrew Jones MP's statement in full

“For weeks now the Prime Minister has been pressed for ‘the plan’ to chart our way out of lockdown. Even before it was published some were saying how confusing it is. Those people assume that coming out of lockdown is a straight-line path – you do this first, then that and so on and that each action will see the virus decline at a known and predictable rate.

Surely our experience of the last few months has shown us that it isn’t like that and won’t be like that. People behave differently to one another, the virus spreads differently in different situations and the virus is new and still not fully understood.

That is why we need to follow the guidelines. It actually seems pretty simple to me. Keep your distance from people outside your own household, and continue to stay at home if possible. If it is not possible and your work is open, then go but maintain that principle of social distancing. There are a few more things we are allowed to do too, with more outdoor activity encouraged.

The news here and from many countries is that we are starting to see a gradual release from lockdown. Judging from my inbox, this has been generally welcomed but cautiously so. Businesses, such as those in the construction sector, have been working out how to get going again whilst respecting the rules.

We are in this place because the science tells us that we are past the peak, and the reproduction rate has fallen. That does not mean job done. People are still getting infected and dying in the tragedies we learn about every day. That is why we have to stay alert. There is no room for complacency.

And as the virus continues to spread the situation may change. If the virus spreads at a faster rate we may occasionally have to go back to stronger measures, if it spreads at a slower rate we may be able to move forward a little quicker.

We are trying to accomplish two things – getting people back to their everyday lives and stamping out the contagion. Both can be done at the same time but it is likely to be a bumpy path rather than a smooth process.

But there is one key fact, the more strictly we comply with the rules, we will get through this more quickly and with less pain. We have seen the benefits of complying already as the peak has passed and our NHS has not been overwhelmed. That has saved lives.”

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