Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed a new three tier “alert system” to tackle coronavirus on Monday, but rejected a second national lockdown.
Mr Johnson said he did not believe it “would be the right course” to shut down the country again, pointing to the damage to the economy and children who would miss out on school.
At the other end of the spectrum, letting the virus “rip” would lead to an “intolerable death toll” and the NHS would be under such strain, medics wouldn’t be able to devote themselves to treating day-to-day conditions such as cancer.
“We must act to save lives, and the evidence shows in changing our behaviour… our actions are saving lives,” he said.
The new alert scheme will include the following:
Medium – The majority of the country would be covered by the current national measures, including the Rule of Six and the 10pm curfew
High – This would cover areas where interventions which are already in place. It will see mixing between different households or support bubbles stopped. The Rule of six will be expanded to apply outdoors as well as inside.
Very High – This would apply where transmission is increasing at a pace where the NHS would be under “unbearable pressure”. It would see a complete ban on social mixing in both houses and private gardens and would see pubs and bars closed.
Mr Johnson confirmed during his announcement that Lincolnshire’s neighbours Nottinghamshire, which has seen a rapid increase in cases, would be put into the “high” level.
Greater Lincolnshire authorities were not mentioned as areas under special measures during the PM’s announcement — bosses have previously said it would remain an area of lowest measures.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Local authority leaders, however, have differed on their opinions of how Lincolnshire should be handled under the new rules — as a county, or as individual districts.
Lord Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, said: “People don’t live, work or play at a county level, they do it in district, or in some cases sub district level.
“We won’t be able to credibly tell the residents of South Holland their liberty has to be further curtailed because the infection rate in the city [Lincoln] is going through the roof.”
However, highways executive at Lincolnshire County Council Councillor Richard Davies accused Councillor Porter of “turning the public health crisis into point scoring over local government simplification” — referring to the argument over devolution.
They warned that the virus needed to be controlled further, claiming that that if measures were not in place “the death toll will be too high to bear”.
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The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.