"This is a challenging time for us all and the Prime Minister has not taken the decision to introduce these new national measures lightly.
What has come home clearly in trying to stop the spread of Covid-19 is that reducing social interactions is key to reducing transmission if we want to keep our schools open, keep our public sector and many businesses running while avoiding complete solitary confinement for households. That's why I am voting for the measures this evening.
Even though our area is amongst the lowest infection weekly rate in the East of England, it is accurate to say that the infection rate is a lot higher than in the summer, that winter is coming when respiratory problems will normally increase anyway and the usual winter hospital pressures would be exacerbated if we need to treat even more people with Coronavirus, reflecting all the enhanced infection control processes that Covid requires.
At the same time, unlike earlier in the year, we want to keep all other non-Covid treatment going for as long as possible. If you feel ill, do speak to your GP and do keep your hospital appointments. More tools to help increase our resilience and manage C19 risk are coming onstream but they are not there yet universally.
Let's stick together on this Suffolk. If we can crack the spread of this virus together, we will be in a much better place at the start of December.
If any constituent needs any specific help, please email me at Parliament.
The government guidance can be seen here - https://bit.ly/2TPEwbs"
