Kieran has done another week supporting NHS on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic and again has asked us to mail out on his behalf. He will be back focusing on his MP duties next week. .
This week the Prime Minister unveiled the COVID 2021 Roadmap, which gave us a timeline of the restrictions being lifted. Although the Prime Minister emphasised that the loosening of restrictions would be determined by ‘data not dates’, the plan gives us all an idea as to when the restrictions will be lifted. It was also very good news that this week the Chief Medical Officers in all four nations have decided to move the COVID Alert Level down from level 5 to level 4.
In Crewe and Nantwich 30,477 people have been vaccinated, meaning that 27.3% of the population of Crewe and Nantwich have received their first dose of the vaccine. Over 18.6 million people across the United Kingdom have had their first vaccine jab. The Government are now aiming to offer a jab to all adults aged 50 or older and those who are at higher risk due to underlying health conditions by 15 April and every adult by the end of July.
The Secretary of State for Education also announced how the 2021 exam grading run this year, with the Department deciding that teachers should determine students grades.
The Government also announced the latest round of funding from the Sport Winter Survival Package, which will provide a boost to sports funding, for football, netball, basketball and badminton.
The Office of Dr Kieran Mullan MP
COVID 2021 Roadmap Dates
This week the Prime Minister outlined the Government’s 4 step plan for getting this country out of lockdown.
The Government has said that they will be guided by data, not dates, so that we do not risk a surge in infections that would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS. Therefore, all the dates in the roadmap are indicative and subject to change.
Below is an outline of the roadmap:
Step 1 – 8th March
- All children and students will return safely to face-to-face education in schools and colleges from 8 March,
- Higher Education students at English universities on practical courses can also return,
- Care Home residents allowed one regular visitor,
- People will be allowed to leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with one person from outside their household.
From 29th March
- Outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed.
- Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, will also be allowed to reopen,
- Children and adult outdoor sports can resume with COVID guidelines in use.
Step 2 – No earlier than 12th April
- Opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres,
- Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen, children's indoor sports resume,
- Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors at Step 2 and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew.
Step 3 - No earlier than 17th May
- Most legal restrictions on meeting others outdoors will be lifted - although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal,
- Indoors, the Rule of 6 or 2 households will apply - we will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this,
- Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors will be able to reopen,
- Indoor hospitality will reopen,
- Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings.
- Other indoor locations to open up in Step 3 include indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas; the rest of the accommodation sector, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs; and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes.
Step 4 – No earlier than 21st June
The government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact,
we hope to reopen remaining premises, including nightclubs, and ease the restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step 3.
More information about the Government’s roadmap can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/.../covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary
If you have any questions about the roadmap, please do get in touch: kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk
UK COVID ALERT LEVEL
The Chief Medical Officers in all four nations have decided to move the COVID Alert Level down from level 5 to level 4.
The Prime Minister has said that if we continue to follow the guidance and support the vaccine rollout we will be able to lower the UK alert level and reduce the restrictions that are currently in place.
2021 EXAM PROVISIONS
This week the Secretary of State for Education announced that students will receive grades awarded and determined by their teachers.
The Department will be releasing further guidance for teachers in due course. The Secretary of State also confirmed that no algorithms would be used when awarding student grades and that fairness and flexibility are at the heart of the new plans.
Teachers will be able to draw on a range of evidence when determining grades, including the optional use of questions provided by exam boards, as well as mock exams, coursework, or other work completed as part of a pupil’s course, such as essays or in-class tests.
Teachers will submit grades to exam boards by 18 June, allowing as much teaching time as possible before teachers make their assessments.
The Department for Education’s blog has a lot of useful information about how results will be calculated in 2021. A link to their most recent post can be found here: https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/02/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-grades-in-2021/
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SPORT
The Government has announced the latest round of funding from the Sport Winter Survival Package, which will provide a boost to sports funding, including:
- £2.25m for Super League and FA Women's Championship
- £4.2m for Netball
- £2.5m for Basketball
- £1.3m for Badminton
TRAFFIC REPORT
The following are road closures for the week ahead, as reported by Cheshire East Council.
- Tower Way, Crewe
- Pyms Lane, Crewe
- Hulme Street, Crewe -28th February
- Crewe Road, Nantwich (Between Whitewell Close and Roundabout) 1st March until 5th March
- Second Dig Lane - Until 28th February