Doncaster MPs and business leaders react to Tier 3 annoucement

Doncaster Labour MPs Ed Miliband and Rosie Winterton said there was ‘disappointment’ at the news but people needed to ‘follow the science’ in order to tackle the virus.

Tory Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher added that if people continued to follow the rules and cases fall, then the area could move down a tier after a review on December 16.

MPs also called on Tier 3 areas like Doncaster to receive ‘the right level of support’ for businesses and workers.

Unlike previous Tier 3 restrictions, rules from December 2 will require pubs to offer takeaway only services along with a ban of households mixing indoors.

Ministers decided to place Doncaster, along with the rest of South Yorkshire into Tier 3 based on five factors.

They included:

- Case detection rates in all age groups

- Case detection rates in the over-60s

- The rate at which cases are rising or falling

- Positivity rate with the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken

- Pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy

Doncaster Chamber CEO Dan Fell urged ministers to provide a ‘clear roadmap’ out of Tier 3

“It is not a surprise that Doncaster is in Tier 3,” he said.

“What is of paramount importance, is that national Government and local partners present a clear and sustainable road map out of this category ahead of Christmas and into the New Year. In the interim, it is vital that support gets to those businesses that need it and that cannot operate safely and profitably under the current restrictions.

“Businesses have sacrificed so much this year as part of a national effort against the coronavirus pandemic; we need Government to keep its end of the bargain by providing support to businesses, honouring commitments to a world class test and trace system and navigating the UK to an open and functioning economy as soon as possible”

In a statement from both Doncaster Labour MPs Ed Miliband and Rosie Winterton, they said: “We know there will be disappointment that Doncaster is back in Tier 3, however we need to follow the science to help tackle the virus and work together.

“But it is essential that there is the right level of support for businesses and workers in Doncaster who will be affected by these restrictions.

“We will continue pressing ministers to ensure Doncaster gets the economic support it needs to get through this crisis, to save lives and livelihoods.”

Nick Fletcher, Conservative MP for Don Valley, said: “It is good that the figures are going in the right direction. In the last month, we saw cases rise as high as 575 per 100,000. Now, cases are at 275. That said, it is obviously disappointing for businesses and those enjoying the festive season that South Yorkshire is in Tier 3.

“However, there is hope for a review on December 16, and if the people of Doncaster respect the rules of ‘hands face and space’, cases will continue to go down.

“If we carry on with the progress we have made so far, we should be able to better enjoy the latter part of the festive season with our friends and family.”

READ MORE:

- Yorkshire to benefit from mass community testing with Army support to drive down coronavirus rates

- Rent arrears falling in Doncaster but a challenge still remains for the council

- Campaigners accuse Doncaster councillor of 'misleading the public' over tree felling claims

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.