Horsham MP reacts as new covid strain forces ‘miserable’ lockdown

Jeremy Quin MP said instead of cases falling by 30 percent every two to three weeks estimates suggest they are now increasing 300 per cent over the same period.

He added: “The objective remains the same - to support the NHS and its staff so they can continue to provide care to those who need it at what is always our hospitals’ busiest time of year.

“The means we all need to employ to deliver that objective have had to change rapidly, just as the the virus itself has changed.

“These restrictions are going to be miserable and I particularly feel for pupils, teachers and parents who had geared up for the school return.”

But the restrictions are necessary, Mr Quin said. He added: “Allowing the virus to “let rip” would have far worse consequences for physical and mental health and ultimately the economy.

“The vaccine delivery, in which the UK has already provided more innoculations than the rest of Europe combined, offers us a real beacon of light and the way out - but we need to keep people safe while the rollout is underway.”

Horsham Liberal Democrats said they support the new national lockdown. They said they hope it will work despite its ‘late implementation’ alongside the vaccination programe to slow and halt the infection.

A spokesman added: “In the meantime, we wish parents and teachers well in trying to plan their lives at work and home in the next few weeks.

“We will do our part to live by and spread the message Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save lives once again.”