Bassetlaw MP hopeful as new vaccine rolls out, despite lockdown

Speaking to the Guardian this week about the strict new measures Brendan said ‘we just need to stick to the guidance and push for an early vaccination rollout’.

On Monday PM Boris Johnson announced the country’s third lockdown since the start of the pandemic.

Under the measures all non-essential businesses will remain closed and members of the public will be allowed to go outside for exercise preferably once a day.

Nottinghamhshire went into Tier 4 lockdown in late December, meaning all non-essential businesses were closed before the latest announcement.

However Brendan said: “I’m pleased the Government has made an early announcement about support grants.

“It’s a big positive and they may have to back it up a bit more.”

The Government has announced grants of up to £9,000 for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses on top of extended furlough and business rates relief schemes.

Local councils will also be given £500 million to support businesses with discretionary grants.

On Monday ‘Oxford born and bred’ dialysis patient Brian Pinker was the first man in the world to receive the Oxford/Astrazeneca injection.

Half-a-million doses of the vaccine are ready for use - with hospital trusts in Oxford, London, Sussex, Lancashire and Warwickshire administering the first doses.

However the Department of Health and Social Care say most other available doses will be sent to hundreds of GP-led services and care homes across the UK later in the week.

Brendan added: “Now the Oxford vaccine has been approved I’m hoping it will rollout a lot quicker to local communities as it’s easier to store.

“More community vaccination hubs will be coming online but obviously we can’t get everyone vaccinated straight away.”

Speaking about the new lockdown in Bassetlaw specifically Brendan said: “People shouldn’t be alarmed locally at the moment.

"Unfortunately it was a case of rates going down in Bassetlaw but going up elsewhere in the country – and hospitals were really starting to fill up.

“It would have eventually happened here too.”

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 subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.