Bassetlaw MP says onus is on us all to stick to new rules and avoid another lockdown

I would like to say thank you to everybody for their efforts so far.

The number of daily infections in Bassetlaw is low – as are admissions at Bassetlaw Hospital – and we want to keep it this way, so, this is the moment to act.

If we can curb the number of daily infections, and reduce the R number to one, then we can save lives, protect the NHS, and the most vulnerable, and shelter the economy from the far sterner and more costly measures that would inevitably become necessary later.

We are once again asking office workers who can work from home to do so.

However, in key public services and professions where homeworking is not possible, people should continue to attend their workplaces.

All pubs, bars and restaurants must operate table-service only, except for take-aways and, together with all hospitality venues, they must close at 10pm.

To help the police to enforce this rule, this means closing, not calling for last orders.

The same will apply to takeaways – though deliveries can continue thereafter.

Face coverings will now be required by retail staff, all users of taxis and private hire vehicles and staff and customers in indoor hospitality, except when seated at a table to eat or drink.

In retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors, these guidelines will become legal obligations and businesses will be fined and could be closed if they breach these rules.

The rule of six will be tightened up and from Monday, a maximum of 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions.

However, up to 30 can still attend a funeral as now.

Unfortunately, people will not now be able to return to conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events on October 1 as planned.

This is not a return to the full lockdown in March, there is no general instruction to stay at home.

Schools, colleges and universities will stay open and businesses can stay open in a Covid-compliant way.

Brendan Clarke-Smith is MP for Bassetlaw.