This is all going to end in tiers. At least, this is what the Government wants for the Covid-19 lockdown crisis. We have been through so many different levels of lockdown which has seen the closure of schools and the shutting of our high streets. In fact, Wigan, Bolton and the rest of Greater Manchester have suffered more from lockdown than any other part of the country.
As we look forward to Christmas, the Government has set out a new tougher set of tiers to follow this current national lockdown. Unfortunately, it is going to be a huge impact on the hospitality sector.
Being in tier two and three will ensure that the pubs remain closed. Tier three will also mean that restaurants close as well – for the thousands of people who work in the hospitality industry, tier 3 will be a disaster
Our high streets will have a short reprieve from what the Government imposes. It is expected that we will be allowed five days over Christmas to meet friends and family. Probably not as many as we would like and it will be over before we know it.
When we were first plunged into a national lockdown back in March, we were told to expect it for only three weeks. After the New Year, we will be counting down to our first anniversary.
Many of my constituents supported the initial measures to tackle Covid-19 but that support has waned as understanding of the threat has increased. Indeed, as we look at the impact on children’s education, employment, civil liberties as well as physical and mental health, support for the Government’s approach has diminished. Fears that the cure is worse than the disease are growing but this is not because of fatigue or conspiracy theorists but rather it is because of people’s experience of the impact of our cycle of lockdowns.
Whilst I have voted against some of the Government’s plans, such as the 10pm pub and restaurant closure, I am amazed that the opposition have not sought to oppose the Prime Minister at any stage. When Boris Johnson wants to impose greater restrictions, Labour have already voiced their agreement before they have seen the details. Parliament is not functioning as it should and the opposition is not challenging as it ought.
The mayor of Greater Manchester and I share great concerns over Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector and want to have as much open as possible although I did not agree with him a few weeks ago when he called for schools to be closed down during this national lockdown period.
At the time of writing, we do not know what tier we will be placed in.
I would not be surprised if Liverpool, Warrington and St Helens are put into Tier 2 whilst Wigan, Bolton and Manchester are placed into Tier 3 in the run up to Christmas. Will the North be in Tier 2 or 3 whilst the South is in Tier 1 or 2? What I do know is that Labour MPs will be backing that decision whilst I oppose it.
There is some hope that a range of vaccines will enable the Government to end this cycle of lockdown and release but I am a little more cautious. The vaccines may well be of some good but the early versions are not likely to be potent enough to give us a real level of immunity and prevent the onward transmission of disease.
Who wants a “freedom pass”? There is now speculation that everyone will be ‘encouraged’ to submit to a twice weekly Covid-19 test. Passing this test will be rewarded with a permit to enable you go to work, school, the shops and to use public transport. It has been done in Slovakia and communist China.
I hope that it will end in tiers, but I fear this is unlikely to be the end. By the time we realise it, there will be nowhere left for us to go to drown our sorrows.
