Sheffield City Region Mayor comments as second coronavirus lockdown begins

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis has said ‘everyone has a critical role to play’ during the second coronavirus lockdown – and urged people to follow the rules.
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The shutdown started on Thursday and is due to last until December 2 in a bid to tackle the spread of Covid-19.

As part of the new restrictions, people have been told to stay at home unless for these reasons – while non-essential shops, pubs and gyms have been forced to close.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region.Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region.
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region.
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Households are also banned from mixing indoors or in private gardens, unless in a support bubble.

Mr Jarvis said: “The past few weeks have been incredibly testing for people and businesses in South Yorkshire.

“We have gone through three changes in Covid restrictions in four weeks and are now in a national lockdown.

“Many people will be feeling frustrated and weary as we once again ask everyone to make sacrifices to slow the spread of the virus.

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“But these measures are necessary, and they can be effective.

“Infection rates are still far too high, at around 500 cases per 100,000 people across South Yorkshire.

“But they appear to have stabilised for now – and that would not have happened without people following the advice and limiting contact with others.

“We still have a long way to go to get the virus under control, save more lives and prevent our NHS from being overwhelmed.

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“Everyone has a critical role to play in that: any lockdown is only as effective as we make it.

“That’s why I am urging all residents to follow the restrictions, not just for their own sake, but to protect family, friends and community.

“I will be pressing the Government at every turn to ensure we use the time we are buying at such a high cost wisely, and that they fix the problems which have led us to this position – especially on test and trace.”

On Thursday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the furlough scheme will be extended across the UK until the end of March.

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Mr Sunak said the scheme will pay up to 80 per cent of a person's wage up to £2,500 a month.

He told the Commons that the Government will review the policy in January.

Mr Jarvis, also Labour MP for Barnsley, said: “I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement today, and I’m pleased to see the Government have finally taken action to support our businesses and have extended the furlough scheme until March 2021 as well as extending the self-employed grant until January 2021.

“This will bring some much-needed certainty for businesses and employees.

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“But I urge the Government to now commit to providing the longer-term investment we need not just to recover from this pandemic, but to level up our region and the wider north.

“The forthcoming spending review is the Government’s chance to gives us the tools we need to build a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire.”

He added: “The coming weeks will be a difficult test.

“We will only pass it with the help of all of our residents.”

Editor’s message

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription at www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.