Statement from MP as Newark put on national ‘watch list’

Robert Jenrick, MP for Newark, issued the following statement in response to the latest Coronavirus update for the area.

“At a meeting of the Government’s Covid response GOLD committee chaired by the Health Secretary earlier today, Newark & Sherwood District was added to the formal “watchlist” of local authority areas with numbers of cases warranting national attention. The government is working closely with Nottinghamshire County Council, Newark & Sherwood District Council, Public Health England and other partners to ensure there continues to be a strong and coordinated local response.

If everyone follows the social distancing guidelines and the further advice issued by the Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, we can suppress the virus and avoid further restrictions. But we should treat this as a serious situation.

Local residents and people working in Newark are being urged to follow all of the national guidelines which are available to read on gov.uk.  A household may meet up with only one other household at home, restaurant, cafe or pub in any indoor setting.  You may meet outdoors in a group of up to six people if everyone observes 2m social distancing.  You may only meet in groups of more than six where everyone is from two households and where everyone is observing normal social distancing.

Those travelling to work by car sharing arrangements should wear masks, keep the windows open for ventilation and clean the interior of the vehicle where it is touched by passengers. If you can, drive yourself or walk or cycle.

Employers should double check they are following the guidance and ensure they are communicating with their employees, including in foreign language where applicable.

You can and should continue to go to work, shop and use restaurants, pubs and cafes, but subject to the no more than one other household guidance.

I’m very grateful to everyone for their patience and forbearance. We will get through this together.”

Earlier today (Thursday 13th August) Public Health Nottinghamshire designated Newark and Sherwood as ‘an area for concern’, with 56 cases confirmed in the past 14 days that the authority has complete data for.

There has been a push for testing in Newark, with a temporary testing facility behind Castle House and all staff members at Bakkavor Desserts tested earlier this week.

The Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, Jonathan Gribbin, said: “It is of critical importance that strict measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 are in place across the whole community, all of our workplaces, and in any setting where people meet with people outside of their immediate household.

“Residents, businesses and everyone living or working in Newark are strongly urged to follow all of the Government guidance and in full.

"It is still vital that everyone follows social distancing guidance in full, including guidelines about car sharing, washing our hands regularly, wearing face coverings, self-isolating and quickly getting a test if we develop symptoms.”

More information and guidance about Coronavirus is available at: https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/coronavirus and https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus