The final step of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown is now in place, – with social distancing and mask-wearing requirements in law ending, large events restarting, restrictions on care home visits being lifted and all businesses being allowed to fully reopen.
As of this last weekend, all adults can now book a life-saving COVID vaccine. Everyone aged 18 and over is being urged to arrange a jab if they have not yet had one as the NHS COVID Vaccination Programme, the biggest in health service history, begins the final push to protect the country.
The changeable weather in Brentwood and Ongar last week seemed reflect the uncertainty on whether the country will be able to open up fully on 21 June. Some days the outlook was terrific – others it was less sunny.
It’s a year this week since the Prime Minister appeared on our TV screens to explain the UK was entering a period a lockdown to try to bring the rising rates of coronavirus infections under control.
The next review of the current lockdown restrictions is due this week and, here in Brentwood and Ongar, the number of coronavirus infections is falling. In less than two months we have gone from having one of the highest rates of infection in England to one of the lowest in Essex.
More than twelve million people across the UK have now received their first vaccination against the worst effects of COVID-19, with half a million of those being fully vaccinated with the follow up dose.
I am pleased to report that the roll out of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines is now well underway across Brentwood with hundreds of vulnerable older people having already received doses at our vaccination hubs.
Each week the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust will provide an update on their plans to deliver excellent care to patients – those with COVID-19 and our non-COVID-19 patients, throughout the winter period - which I will share with my constituents by updating this article.
The Government are committed to levelling up opportunities across the UK. People shouldn’t have to leave their local area to get on in life, or to further their career.