MAYORS

Mayor 'rejects' government lockdown restrictions

Middlesbrough Mayor, Andy Preston, has said he doesn't accept the new lockdown measures being imposed by the Government as they are based on ignorance and factual inaccuracies.

Middlesbrough Mayor, Andy Preston, has said he doesn't accept the new lockdown measures being imposed by the Government as they are based on ignorance and factual inaccuracies.

Mayor Preston said he was ‘really disappointed' in the new laws, which will ban mixing between different households at home and in public venues.

He argued that NHS Test and Trace data showed the majority (80%) of those who tested positive for COVID-19 last month were exposed to the virus by a household member or visitor.

The council has proposed just banning socialising inside homes, arguing this would be the best way to protect jobs and mental health.

Mayor Preston said: ‘The Government has ignored us. I strongly disagree with their decision and will go on making the case that this isn't right at this moment in time for Middlesbrough.

'In the meantime we will start working on local measures to try and protect people's wellbeing and jobs.'

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