Coronavirus: Brighton Leader Says 'Don't Relax Yet'

Green Party Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, told More Radio that he appreciates the sacrifices made by residents, but there's still work to be done.

Following the government's announcement that Sussex will be placed under Tier 2 restrictions next week, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council has called on residents not to relax their efforts.

Brighton and Hove will be placed under the 'High Alert' level after December 2, meaning it is an area with a higher or rapidly rising level of infections, where some additional restrictions need to be in place.

The majority of the country will be under Tier 2 restrictions when the national lockdown ends next week, meaning people cannot socialise with anyone they do not live with or who is not in a support bubble in any indoor setting.

The 'rule of 6' applies in outoor settings.

Cllr Mac Cafferty told More Radio the city still has a way to go, but this tier system is different to how areas were measured before the second lockdown.

He explained:

"There are a whole load of different rules that apply to what tier the city has ended up in.

"One of them includes what's happening around us, it's not like the previous system of tiers where each local council area is considered on it's own.

"What's happened in our bigger region has affected our place today. If we were under the old tier system we would be coming out of lockdown into tier one.

"The government has been really clear this week that there's going to be negotiation on the tiers.

"We look forward to the next review date and hopefully our cases will come down and we can continue making the argument for the city to be back in tier one."

Nevertheless, the Green Party member said it's really important that people don't relax efforts to fight the pandemic.

He added:

"For me, the worst case scenario before we have the roll out of a vaccine would be to have a big increase in cases, at the very point in time when our hospitals would usually be very busy.

"My point would be to everyone, let's not take that risk.

"Please think about others, please continue all of the hard work.

"All of the individual actions people are doing, they've stayed at home, they've made space for others, worn a mask, washed their hands and  followed the guidlines. Thank you for everything you're doing.

"The individual actions we're all taking together are saving lives and I would appeal to everyone to keep thinking of others, and continue to stand up for the most vulnerable in Brighton and Hove."

Level two restrictions ban pubs and bars from opening unless they are able to operate as restaurants, which could cause issues for a lot of businesses in Brighton and Hove.

New rules ban hospitality venues from serving alcohol unless it is with a substantial meal, which means any venues in the city that do not have a kitchen will not be able to open their doors to customers next week.

Cllr Mac Cafferty said

"I'm acutely aware of the continuing effect on the hospitality sector.

"This is obviously, normally, one of the busiest times of the year for the hospitality sector in the city.

"I am of course here to help every business that I possibly can. I would urge businesses to seek advice on and check their eligibility for the council's business grants scheme.

"I've been lobbying the government hard for the further financial support that we need to get in place to ensure that people's livelihoods, and indeed the local economy can recover.

"I've been saying for a number of weeks that I'm quite worried about businesses failing and just about what would happen about to some of them in the longer term."

For more information on support click here.