PEOPLE have been urged not to see more friends ahead of the second national lockdown starting on Thursday.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty asked people in the city to “consider how we can keep transmissions low”.

The heightened restrictions will come into effect on Thursday providing MPs approve the proposal tomorrow.

But, with people and businesses given a few days to prepare, there are concerns some could spend this time being sociable as, under the national lockdown, residents will only be able to meet one person from another household at a time in a public, outdoor space.

Brighton and Hove’s Green group convenor Phelim Mac Cafferty said: “In the days before restrictions set in, I also want to urge each of us to consider how we can keep transmissions low.

“Now is sadly not the time to increase our contacts, and although difficult, we can all act together to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We cannot be complacent about Covid and as a city we have done well to keep the rate of transmission lower than elsewhere in the country.”

He thanked communities in the city for their hard work and kindness during the pandemic.

Cllr Mac Cafferty said: “We will work to prevent this deadly disease reaching the most vulnerable in our society.

The Argus:

“I know this has been incredibly tough – eight months on from the start, it’s arguably tougher.

“But let’s pull together and stick together.”

Cllr Mac Cafferty said he could understand the frustration of residents and pledged to find answers to “key questions affecting all of us”.

He said: “There’s no doubt that the second lockdown to tackle rising rates of transmission of Covid-19 will see changes in how the city runs in the month ahead.

“Similar to the restrictions brought in back in March, we will again all have to work together to stay safe and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The Argus:

Cllr Mac Cafferty said that the council's community hub will continue to provide help to residents throughout the second lockdown, giving support with energy bills and providing food.

He said: "This is organised through the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, and deliveries can be made to those who need essential food supplies, for example. Our services will speak to you without judgement and are here to help.

"You can contact the community hub and emergency referral service through our website or you can call 01273 293117 and select option 2 if you can’t get online. The Community Hub operates Monday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm."

The council leader also said he was "urgently requesting more detail from government about what financial support will be available for businesses and how to access grants during this new lockdown".

He said: " If we find that what the government is offering falls short of what our city needs, we will not hesitate to raise this directly."

The Argus:

These are the restrictions likely to come into effect on Thursday:

  • People are being urged to stay at home, unless they are leaving the house for work, education, exercise, medical reasons, food shopping or to care for others
  • Pubs and restaurants must close, but takeaways and deliveries may remain open
  • Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues must close, but supermarkets can sell non-essential goods
  • There is to be no mixing of households indoors or in private gardens, unless it is with one person within your support bubble
  • Schools, colleges and universities are set to stay open

People will still be able to:

  • Meet one person from outside their household in an outside public space
  • Support bubbles for people who live alone and households made up of single parents and children can continue
  • Children will be able to move between homes if their parents are separated
  • Workplaces will be asked to stay open if people cannot work from home - including construction and manufacturing
  • Outdoor exercise and recreation will be allowed, but gyms will have to close
  • Clinically vulnerable people are being advised not to go to work if they are unable to work from home