Act now to stop third lockdown, pleads West Midlands Mayor
A stark warning has been issued days before rules are relaxed over Christmas for people to be sensible and avoid a third lockdown.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said the festive period was crunch time and will have a ‘huge impact’ on restrictions in the new year.
It comes as police chiefs urged India farming demonstrators not protest in the Black Country this weekend, after hundreds gathered last week.
At least 7,221 people have died from Covid-19 in the West Midlands, while there has been at least 190,858 positive cases, said Dr Helen Carter, the deputy regional director at Public Health England.
More Covid-19 coverage:
Mr Street said: "We don't know [what will happen after Christmas] but what we do know is the actions over Christmas will have a huge impact on this, and that is why the Christmas advice is so, so important, both from an individual point of view, but also from a point of view of what restrictions we could possibly face."
Health chiefs have urged people to keep their festive celebrations small over Christmas during the five-day relaxation period of rules.
Clive Wright, the Covid regional convenor for the West Midlands, said: "The Government have advised that we keep festive celebrations small, short and local.
"I hope that we can all take heed of that advice.
"I must press that the virus is just as dangerous as ever it was. I would urge you to consider your plans for Christmas.
"Limit your contact with others outside your family as much as possible and follow the rules."
Meanwhile, the scale of protests last weekend in West Bromwich, the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham city centre was described as "appalling" by David Jamieson, the police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands.
The demonstrations are about new farming laws passed in India by the country's Government.
He said this caused "very considerable traffic disruption" and revealed an ambulance station was blocked for around an hour.
Mr Jamieson said: "We are aware that demonstrations, which are about agricultural reforms in India, are due to take place in Birmingham and Sandwell on Sunday.
"A similar demonstration took place last Saturday and I expressed no opinion about the merits of the demonstration.
"It is not the merits of the demonstration which I am concerned.
"The scenes from last Saturday were truly unacceptable.
"I would urge people, in the interest of everybody's safety and security, please do not attend."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said this afternoon: “Everyone has the right to peacefully and lawfully protest. On Saturday there was a build up of traffic near to our hub in Sandwell whilst the protests were taking place, but no patients were affected as a result of this.”
