Portsmouth MP urges residents to 'not throw away' social distancing over bank holiday
FAILURE to keep up with social distancing guidelines could lead to many more months of restrictions, an MP has warned.
Labour MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, has printed an open letter to the public, pleading for people to keep themselves safe over the bank holiday weekend.
Social distancing measures were relaxed by the government two weeks ago – since then, places like Southsea Common and the Hot Walls have become much busier, leading to concerns that people aren’t keeping their distance from one another.
Now, with hot and sunny weather forecast for the bank holiday weekend, Mr Morgan has urged people to stay sensible.
He said: ‘Efforts in every community in Portsmouth to tackle the Covid-19 crisis have been outstanding.
‘The last few weeks have been tough for everyone. Restrictions on the things we’ve taken for granted. Unable to visit friends. Missing loved ones. The lockdown imposed upon us has not been easy for anyone.
‘As we approach another sunny Bank Holiday, we must redouble these efforts – if we fall at the last hurdle, we could face months more social distancing measures and run the risk of harm to our loved ones.
‘This weekend my plea to every single constituent is this. Let’s not throw away what we’ve done for Portsmouth so far.’
Portsmouth City Council has also urged residents to ‘think twice’ about what they get up to this weekend.
The council advises going elsewhere if a place is busy, or to go out at a quieter time of day.