No plans to relax measures in Sunderland as city leaders condemn new guidance as 'nonsense'

The Government has unveiled the next stage of its plan to tackle COVID-19, including relaxed rules on outdoor exercise and a roadmap for the reopening of schools.

But Sunderland's leaders remain unconvinced so far and have insisted they will keep restrictions in place for now, branding the revised approach ‘nonsense’.

“As far as I’m concerned we won’t be changing anything,” said Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council.

“The council will continue to support its care and support teams, the NHS, the city’s food banks.

“But we cannot do anything about Roker Beach or Herrington Country Park being full of people if the message is now go out and do what you want.

“Stay two metres apart? That will never happen.

“I will ensure everything we do is about that original strong ‘stay home, stay safe, message’.”

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Coun Miller added he was ‘staggered’ by yesterday’s televised statement made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and feared it could prompt a ‘surge’ in travel as people return to work or visit loved ones.

The new guidelines include provisions for families to travel to parks and beaches to swim and sunbathe.

But the rules will only apply in England, with devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland taking different approaches, prompting concern over the effect this ‘fractured messaging’ could have.

In April, the city council closed the Herrington Country Park to drivers, but according to Coun Miller was forced to u-turn after motorists parked on the highway, making the road ‘dangerous’ for other users.

“We should have said there’s no change,” added Coun Miller.

“Let’s see in another three weeks, let’s go to the middle of June and review it then, but I think this is more about the economy than people’s health.

“The first role of any government is to protect the people.

“We’ve got more than 31,000 deaths from this and I feel this will lead to more unnecessary deaths if cases rise because people are visiting their loved ones.

“It has to be health before wealth.”

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