The most important thing to update you on this week is that Cheshire East has been put in Tier 2, High Risk, for local COVID-19 measures. The biggest changes for us locally are:
- People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
- People must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space.
Further information on the Tier 2 measures can be found in this newsletter and on the Government's website. I have answered some common questions below as well.
I know how hard it is to not be able see friends and family and I'm very aware that people have already sacrificed so much. We need to keep going and follow these new rules to keep others safe. I spoke in a debate this week on the new tiered system and lockdown measures and I highlighted the need for us to do all we can to protect the most vulnerable in our society. We need to keep going and persevere so we can beat this virus together. I really hope that the new tiered system will be able to prevent transmission and slow the spread of the virus.
In light of the new Tier 2 measures, I went on BBC Stoke this week to answer your questions about the Tier 2 rules and I would encourage anyone who is unsure about how the rules will impact you to give it a listen. Additionally, I was able to have a meeting with the CEO of Leighton Hospital, James Sumner, to talk about how Leighton is getting on and what we can do to make sure the hospital doesn't get overwhelmed. If you haven't already please do sign and share the petition we are running to support Leighton to get into the final 8 new build hospital sites as well. You can see a brief outline the hospital have published and sign the petition here https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/leighton-hospital-new-build-campaign.
There was also some very good news this week, it was announced that Crewe Lyceum Theatre will receive £231,387 in Government support to help the theatre during this challenging time. I was also pleased to hear that the Veterans Railcard, for former members of the armed forces, launched this week which give our brave veterans a discount on their rail travel.
Dr Kieran Mullan
MP for Crewe & Nantwich
Tier 2
Speech on Covid-19 Local Lockdown Measures
£231,387 For Crewe Lyceum Theatre
Meeting with CEO of Leighton
Radio Stoke Interview
Veterans Railcard
Traffic Report
TIER 2
It has now been confirmed that we will be in Tier 2, High Risk. From Wednesday the big changes for us locally are:
- People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
- People must not meet in a group of more than 6 outside, including in a garden or other space.
Additional information on Tier 2 measures:
- informal childcare can continue as per these guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/.../childcare-to-be-exempt-from...
- support bubbles can continue as per these guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/.../making-a-support-bubble-with...
- Avoid travelling to or staying overnight in Tier 3 Very High-Risk areas (Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton, Halton) except if necessary, for work, education, childcare or passing through
- As has been the case since the first lockdown, children moving between households as part of shared custody arrangements can continue to do so
- work visits to other people's homes e.g. plumbers, nannies, hairdressers are still allowed but must follow COVID secure guidelines
Further information on the new measures can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high
Cases are rising rapidly and if nothing is done this will escalate and already there are more patients in hospital with coronavirus than at the start of lockdown. We simply can't stop the virus reaching the millions of our older friends and family if it spreads throughout the population.
We will get through this; the vaccine trials are progressing well so far, and testing capacity is climbing every week. We just need to pull together for longer to get through this. As always please email kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk if you have any questions about the new rules.
The rates will be monitored continually, and our tier status will be formally reviewed in a month.
This graphic can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/KieranMullanUK/photos/a.375873086287231/823288858212316/
SPEECH ON COVID-19 LOCAL LOCKDOWN MEASURES
This week I spoke in the debate about the new tiered system and lockdown measures. Areas across the country now face tighter local lockdown restrictions and Cheshire East has been put into Tier 2 for local restrictions.
For those who are over 50 the virus is still a real risk to their health. We need to do all we can to protect the most vulnerable. We can all help buy them time until a vaccine or mass daily testing give us a way out. We can do this!
Some people have said that we should only place restrictions on the elderly and vulnerable. If we did that the virus would run rampant amongst everyone else and make all of us a huge risk to vulnerable people. We would essentially be asking 25 million people to play Russian Roulette every time they leave the house and interact with anyone else.
I know how hard it will be not being able to mix with friends and family indoors for the time being however we need to keep going. We shouldn’t give up on the most vulnerable many of whom fought for and built this country in their younger lives.
£231,387 FOR CREWE LYCEUM THEATRE
Today it was announced that Crewe Lyceum will receive a £231,387 in support from the Government to help it during the pandemic.
This is fantastic news for Crewe and the whole area. The Lyceum team and the shows, plays and events they put on have actually been a lifeline for the town centre economy in recent years.
It has been incredibly difficult for the staff and they have battled through and I am glad we now have been able to secure them this lifeline of their own. I know everyone locally is going to be really pleased to know their theatre isn’t going anywhere.
This funding comes from the £1.57 billion cultural support package that was announced in July.
MEETING WITH CEO OF LEIGHTON
This week, I had a virtual meeting with the CEO of Leighton Hospital, James Sumner.
Whilst there has been a rise in cases, the hospital is continuing to manage these alongside it's other services.
But like I and the Government, there is a concern that in a few weeks from now, the picture might look different. There is a delay between cases rising and people becoming unwell and needing to be in hospital and we know cases are rising in the community.
So the message from James and the team at the hospital is to ask everyone to please follow the current lockdown guidance and anything new that might be asked of us this week.
I also discussed with James the huge opportunity of being one of the final 8 new build hospital sites. It would allow Leighton to be fit for the future. I look forward to Leighton being able to share more details about their plans for the rebuild in the very near future. So please do sign the petition to get Leighton into the final 8! Link below
https://www.facebook.com/KieranMullanUK/posts/815155005692368
RADIO STOKE INTERVIEW
This week I went on BBC Radio Stoke to answer questions about the new local Tier 2 COVID measures and the government approach. I would encourage anyone who wants to know more about these new measures to give it a listen.
Further information on the Tier 2 measures can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-level-high
VETERANS RAILCARD
Our armed forces veterans put their lives on the line to keep us safe, so that is why we should always do whatever we can to show them our gratitude.
The government have launched a new railcard for veterans which will give them 1/3rd off rail travel. This not only goes some way to show them how much we value their service, but also helps them to re-enter the world of civilian work.
It is great to see that the first recipient of this railcard is none other than Captain Sir Tom Moore!
TRAFFIC REPORT
Maw Green Road/ Maw Lane - Closed until 23rd October
Sandon Street, Crewe - Closed until 31st October
Delamere Street, Crewe (Between Tower Way and Queensway) - Closed until 30th November
Westminster Street, Crewe - Closed until 2nd November
Newman's Lane - Closed until 19th October
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