Uckfield and the Wealden district remain in Covid-19 Tier 2 restrictions, to the relief of MP Nus Ghani.
She said: “Wealden businesses are on their knees and I have been deeply concerned about the impact of these tough restrictions on our hospitality sector and all the jobs they support.
“So it is a huge relief that Wealden will remain in Tier 2.”
The announcement was made yesterday (December 16) by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock.
At the same time, he moved the neighbouring Rother district [Bexhill, Battle and Rye area] into Tier 3, along with Hastings.
Ms Ghani said: “I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that our local data and pattern of infection was correctly understood by the Government, and to bring to an end the blunt instrument of county line tiers.
Health Secretary:
“I would like to pay tribute to the Health Secretary, who has accepted the need for a data-focused East Sussex split for tier restrictions.
“It made very little sense for Wealden to get swept up in tougher restrictions because of the unfortunate spike in cases in our neighbouring areas.
“But it’s now time that this data-focused approach is rolled out across the whole country.”
New strategy needed:
The Wealden MP said England now needed a new, sustainable and enduring strategy for living with this disease after November’s lockdown and most of the country now under Tier 3.
She hoped Ministers would bring this forward in the new year, adding:
“I would like to thank all Wealden residents who continue to observe the Government rules and guidelines and are doing their bit to keep our infection rates low.
“We must continue to be vigilant and as always remember hands-face-space.”
Note: The Wealden Parliamentary Constituency does not exactly match the boundaries of Wealden District Council. Parts of the council area in the south are within neighbouring Parliamentary areas of Lewes, Eastbourne and Bexhill and Battle.
In the last seven days, there have been 271 new Covid-19 infections (167.8 per 100,000 population) in the Wealden District Council area. In the same period in Rother, there have been 326 new cases (339.3 per 100,000 population) and Hastings 472 (509.4 per 100,000 population).
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