KIM MCGUINNESS: The need for clarity as to what happens after lockdown

And it’s a sequel we need because the war on Covid is far from over yet. In fact it’s a move that many have been calling for weeks – a straightforward tier-free shutdown to bring infection rates down.

I for one have been vocal in my calls for Government to get a grip and share a real strategy with the nation.

With Christmas looming, people want to make plans. Many have been pinning a lot of hope on the festive season, something to look forward to.

Whether Christmas has been "saved” is yet to be determined, only time will tell, but we all need to do our bit and give this lockdown our best shot. Sadly this week the North East recorded its highest number of weekly coronavirus deaths since May, but fortunately, thanks to the safe and sensible approaches taken by many, the spread of this virus is starting to slow in our region.

This suggests the local restrictions we have had in place seem to have been working and now we need everyone on board with the national efforts so the North East emerges on the other side of lockdown winning.

It’s unclear what will happen after lockdown and so we need clarity on this but if we return to tiers we hope to be on as low a tier of Covid restrictions as safely possible.

We all came together and worked hard to keep out of tier three because we knew it would hold our region back and we understood that it wouldn’t have tackled the way the virus is spreading here. As ever, the right measures and financial support from Government really are vital in making the rules work.

I am thankful to the majority of people in Sunderland who have understood the need for the measures imposed so far.

I am also thankful to Northumbria Police. It goes without saying that renewed restrictions do place enormous strain on our Force.

When it comes to imposing the rules, our officers are keen to get the balance right, and officers will continue using enforcement as a last resource. But I make no apology in it being used when it comes to keeping our people safe.