Coronavirus

This week the Prime Minister announced the end of Plan B measures in England. This means that the recommendation to work from home and mask mandates will end, as will mandatory Covid passes for entering nightclubs and large events.

I have been made aware of issues that a number of constituents have been having securing lateral flow tests. It is vitally important that constituents can get the lateral flow tests they need.

I attended a virtual briefing for Parliamentarians with the Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance, the Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty, and Health Minister Edward Argar MP. This was an opportunity for us to hear about the latest Covid data and recent SAGE discussions.

I was recently contacted by a local business owner about the possibility of re-starting the Government’s workplace Covid testing programme, which had improved safety and reassurance during the pandemic for staff and customers.

I am very pleased that before Christmas the Government announced a new package of £1bn in support for businesses.

Today I visited the Harpenden Vaccination Centre at the Public Halls to thank the staff and volunteers who have been working so hard on the vaccination effort.

The Prime Minister has announced that a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will be offered to all eligible over 18s before the new year, so long as it has been three months since their second dose.

New measures have been announced to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which marks a move to the Government’s Plan B. These include:

-    Asking people to work from home where they can.

I was recently made aware of concerns that the vaccination centre at Harpenden Public Halls would cease operations this month. I am pleased to have received confirmation from the Harpenden Health Primary Care Network that their vaccination service will now continue at the Public Halls.

I am aware from speaking to several residents that there have been concerns mainly in North Hertfordshire about access to Booster Jabs for those in care homes and for individuals that are unable to attend walk-in clinics and vaccination centres.