Call for unity in Reading as third national lockdown begins

That is the message from Cllr Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council, who has called on people to “quickly recapture” the “great sense of togetherness and of community spirit” during the third national lockdown.

The Labour councillor insists the rapid spread of the new strain of Covid-19 means “there is no choice but to tighten restrictions once more” – but the government should provide additional financial support for the Reading businesses that have been forced to close.

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People can now only leave their homes to work, exercise, shop for food or medicine, seek medical care or meet with people in their support bubble.

When the second national lockdown was lifted on December 2, Reading’s seven-day infection rate stood at 151.4 cases per 100,000.

It has now reached 548.9 cases per 100,000, after 888 new cases in a week.

Almost one in five tests (18 per cent) conducted in Reading are coming back positive and the pressure on the Royal Berkshire Hospital is mounting.

At the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Covid-19 patients were occupying 59 beds on December 19. By December 30, that number had reached 179.

“When you think back to that first lockdown, there was a great sense of togetherness and of community spirit across our town – that is something we now need to quickly recapture in what will be another very difficult few weeks and months ahead,” said Cllr Brock.

“Now, more than ever, it is essential that we all do the right thing for Reading and take some time to familiarise ourselves with the new lockdown rules and stick rigidly to them.

“The key message is not to leave home except for a very limited number of permitted reasons. In very simple terms, the more people you see, the more likely it is that you will catch or spread coronavirus.

“Washing your hands regularly, wearing a mask if you do need to go out and keeping your distance from others remain as important than ever.

“If you develop Covid symptoms – a high temperature, new continuous cough or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – please get a test to help protect others.

“What does not help anyone is the government’s prevaricated decision making in the face of what was an unfortunately inevitable decision on school closures.

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“Despite the calls by local headteachers and teachers over the Christmas break for primary schools to remain shut, the government waited until the evening of the first day of the new term to make that call, putting school staff and parents in an extremely difficult position.”

He added: “What is different from the first lockdown, of course, is the real hope of a successful and rapid vaccine roll out over the next few weeks, providing protection for the most vulnerable members of our community.

“I would strongly urge people in those categories to immediately take up the offer of a vaccine when it comes. The higher the number of people vaccinated, the quicker we can get back to a level of normality, which we are all striving for.

“Thank you once again to every resident, businesses and organisation in Reading for their tremendous efforts so far and for their sacrifices in the weeks and months to come.

“I know everyone will do our town, our community and our neighbourhoods proud.”