'Something needs to be done' - What Sunderland said about tougher Covid-19 restrictions as cases continue to rise

Local authorities joined together in writing to the Government this week as Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Hartlepool and Newcastle were put on the watchlist due to an increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases.

Councils in Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham, and Northumberland – known collectively as LA7 – called for “power, funding, and resources to change things now” and protect the region with a raft of stricter measures.

According to the latest figures from Public Health England – released on Tuesday, September 15 – there have been 2,279 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Sunderland.

From backing an introduction of tougher restrictions to calling for the Government to “make their mind up”, this is what you said:

Elaine Griffiths, 42, owner of The Stumble Inn, Sunderland said: “I think the restrictions in place are tight enough as long as businesses and members of the public are abiding by rules and regulations.

“Reducing hours for different establishments doesn’t do anything, it’s a little bit like saying Covid only exists between the hours of 10pm and 6 o’clock in the morning.”

Christopher Davison, 22, a president at Sunderland’s Student Union said: “Bringing in tougher restrictions is a sensible idea so that cases don’t rise any further.

“I think the problem is that the guidance hasn’t been very clear from the government and people are unsure about how the restrictions are going to play out.

“The rule of six is a good idea because it still gives people a chance to see people if they want to see friends and family but in smaller bubbles.

“People are still able to go out and socialise which is important for people’s mental health and wellbeing.”

Beverley Smith, 66, a retired civil servant from Sunderland said: “I think we do need tougher restrictions because we have had a spike and people can’t get tests so we need to do something about it.

“My daughter has had a cold for over a week now so her workplace have said she needs to get a test but the nearest point to get one is over 70 miles away and she can’t go back to work until she has a test.

“She’s now suspended for work until she gets a test, the only way to do this is to pay for it privately.

“It’s ridiculous, something needs to be done.”

Gillian Watson, 55, works as a stop smoking advisor in Sunderland.

She said: “I don’t think we should have tougher restrictions because I think they just need to make up their mind about what they are doing. Lots of the rules just don’t make any sense at all.

“I don’t agree with the rule of six either, it’s my daughter’s 18th birthday next week and we have had to cancel her party last minute.

“We have given people appointment slots to come and see her, it’s just ridiculous.

“We have all been told to use the eat out scheme, told to go to the shops and told to go to work and now we have all been pulled back.”

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