Concerns raised as Hampshire goes into tier 2 after second lockdown

Winchester MP Steve Brine has expressed his concern about the level of effectiveness that lockdown has brought to the county.

On Thursday 26^th of November the whole of Hampshire excluding the Isle of Wight will put in Tier 2 after the second lockdown ends in December.

But before the lockdown the county was put in Tier 1 meaning that that the rules in December will be stricter.

MP Steve Brine told Hampshire Live: ”I was not in favour of a second national lockdown but given our area entered lockdown 2.0 in Tier 1 and comes out the other side in Tier 2, the obvious question is what has it achieved other than delivering another body-blow to the local businesses and the people they employ?”

New rules will allow shops, gyms, entertainment, and leisure as well as beauty businesses to remain open. But when it comes to pubs and bars they must run as restaurants and close by 11 pm or if not able to do so remain close until further notice.

Mr Brine has also said that Hampshire infection rates have been falling and there is a stable NHS admission in place.

Health secretary Matt Hancock told BBC News: “The end is in sight, we mustn’t give up now, we must follow these new rules and make sure that our actions today will save lives in future.”

The tier positions and restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks next one coming up on the 16^th of December.

The government has also released a UK-wide arrangement that during the Christmas period people will be allowed to see their loved ones by creating a Christmas bubble of three households for five days over the holidays.