MAYOR DAN JARVIS CALLS FOR METRO MAYORS TO BE GIVEN SEAT ON COBRA

Published 21 September 2020 at 2:47pm

Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “The government must act decisively to protect us from a potentially deadly resurgence of the virus over the winter. After a summer of confusing messaging, local lockdowns and a failure to meet promises of a ‘world-beating’ track and trace system, we are at a crucial point in the pandemic. The Prime Minister must provide the leadership the country needs to get through this crisis.

The situation in our region remains extremely precarious. I urge people to continue to wash their hands, keep a social distance and not to mix in groups of more than six. If they have symptoms, they should self-isolate and get a test as soon as possible. Those struggling to get a test, must stay at home for 14 days.

I am working with our NHS and local councils to do everything we can to avoid a rise in cases. But without an efficient Track and Trace system, the hard work of our authorities and the people of South Yorkshire will be put to waste.

I am continuing to push Government to do better and will be raising urgent concerns with Matt Hancock about the testing crisis. As long as the system continues to fail, so will the fight against the spread for the coronavirus and we will suffer a winter blighted by unnecessary deaths and further restrictions on our daily lives.

We’ve already seen the devastating impact the pandemic has had on livelihoods. If further restrictions are brought in the Government must provide local leaders with the powers and resources needed to protect people, jobs and businesses through any local lockdowns.

Given the seriousness of the situation its right that COBRA meets tomorrow. I again call on Government to give Metro Mayors a seat at COBRA. Large areas of the North are already in local lockdown but no Northern leader has yet been invited to attend COBRA during this crisis. Now is the time to bring regional leaders into the national decision making cycle to help prevent some of the country’s most deprived areas from suffering the worst of this pandemic.”