Sir Graham Brady has described the government’s decision to keep Trafford under local lockdown as “deeply disappointing”.
Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health, has today confirmed that on the day local restrictions were due to be lifted in the borough, a “significant” change in the infection rate had forced the government into another U-turn.
Altrincham and Sale West MP Brady had welcomed last week’s decision to remove Trafford from the restrictions, and today he expressed his disappointment that the “very heavy-handed restrictions” would now be remaining in place.
He said: “I think it’s deeply disappointing, especially for the many many constituents who have contacted me to say how delighted they were that they were going to be able to see their families again.
“These are very heavy-handed restrictions on enjoying normal family life, and my concern is that decisions are being taken based on positive cases as a result of increased testing instead of a rise in hospital admissions or deaths.”
Brady said he would prefer to rely on people’s ability to use common sense.
He added on Radio 5 Live: “We need to start looking at a different set of measures. One of the concerns is that people will simply stop listening. I think it’s far better to have a response based on giving good advice and getting people to follow sensible precautions.
“These were the things that were getting the virus in retreat since April. Once we got over that immediate threat about intensive care being overhwelmed it was right to move to a situation whereby we trusted people’s common sense.
“You can’t keep these restrictions in place indefinitely, and I don’t think people will put up with it for very long.”
