As we prepare to enter a second period of national lockdown, we must be mindful of how hard this prolonged disruption and enforced isolation is hitting the nation’s mental wellbeing.
Today I have written to the Prime Minister asking him to consider what potential allowances could safely be made for baby groups, places of worship and some sports and leisure activities to help people cope through these troubling times.
Ultimately, if we want to end the cycle of easing restrictions then re-imposing them when cases rise, we need the Government to urgently get a grip on its failing test, trace, and isolate system.
Ministers wasted the time we spent in the first national lockdown by failing to put this apparatus in place. The Prime Minister owes it to the people suffering through mental anguish, isolation, and bereavement not to do so again.
