MP warns of problems if the lockdown is lifted too quickly
Sir Bill Cash says local businesses could suffer
Last updated 17th Feb 2021
It's feared many businesses across Staffordshire and Cheshire could suffer if the lockdown's lifted too early.
The Covid Recovery Group put pressure on the Prime Minister this week to see an end to all restrictions by April.
But Conservative MP for Stone, Sir Bill Cash, says we want this lockdown to be the last one - so let's hold out for a little longer:
"This is an invisible enemy. We have to be aware that another surge could occur and it all depends on the timing of it - and therefore I'm reluctant to suggest a complete relief of the lockdown, although I'd like to see one, but only in a prudent and cautious and sensible way."
Sir Bill Cash has been telling us we need to slow down and do this lockdown properly:
"Lift the restrictions too quickly and it will destroy the businesses. It will destroy the hospitality, it will destroy the travelling abroad and it will also destroy restaurants too. Short term mistakes in relieving the lockdown will actually lead to another surge."
Meanwhile, the Government says mass testing is a key part of the plan for easing coronavirus lockdown rules.
It's understood Boris Johnson is likely to announce a surge in the rollout of lateral flow kits on Monday, to help stop clusters of cases forming.
The idea is to find people who are Covid positive but don't have symptoms.