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Warning for Bristolians to adhere to rules or ‘threat of local lockdown looms’
The risk of an increased coronavirus infection rate as a result of mass gatherings, protests and illegal parties is “both real and significant”, warn city leaders.
Bristol’s mayor and the police chief constable have joined others in voicing concerns about the potential danger of flouting current guidance amid a “noticeable rise” in new cases over the past ten days, although they say overall number remains relatively low.
Marvin Rees warns “the threat of a local lockdown will loom larger” if irresponsible behaviour and mass gatherings don’t stop.
is needed now More than ever
It comes in the wake of a week that saw a gathering of some 300 motorists on The Downs and other reported get-togethers.
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Read more: Police called to car show on Downs
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Bristol’s Covid-19 Local Engagement Board says gatherings of particular concern include raves, house parties and other get-togethers where social distancing can’t be maintained.
Avon and Somerset police are mounting a major operation this weekend in response to the four-day Extinction Rebellion protest, with 70 officers having rest days cancelled over the bank holiday.
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Speaking with the deputy police and crime commissioner John Smith this week, chief constable Andy Marsh said: “It is not the weekend to be coming out in gatherings in private places or indeed in protests.”
People are being encouraged to find “safer, alternative methods, such as online protest, to express their views during the pandemic”.
Urging people to adhere to the guidance and apply common sense, the mayor said: “Against the backdrop of local cases rising and stretched services doing all they can to maintain current restrictions, we’re seeing illegal and unauthorised gatherings on the increase.
“Where people are getting together in groups without measures in place, sometimes mixing in alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour, we have the perfect environment for the virus to thrive. This irresponsible behaviour must stop, or we won’t see an end to the rise in cases and the threat of a local lockdown will loom larger.”
Outlining how the voluntary sector has already been affected by the pandemic, Sandra Meadows, the CEO of Voscur, Bristol’s support and development agency for charities, communities and enterprise, added: “Since the start of the pandemic, Bristol’s VCSE sector has worked extraordinarily hard alongside the council, police, health and other agencies to protect vulnerable citizens and minimise risk to our communities.
“We are all now faced with a situation where the risk of an increased Covid-19 infection rate, as a result of mass gatherings, protests and illegal parties, is both real and significant.”
She said an increase in the Covid-19 infection rate will have “a devastating effect” on the ability of organisations to support communities and individuals.
Meadows added: “It’s a long haul, we realise that, but surely we have come too far and sacrificed too much to let all our efforts be in vain.”
Sue Mountstevens, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, urged people to be mindful that we are still in the middle of a global health emergency, saying: “I support the police approach to only use enforcement as a last resort, but make no mistake, the police are prepared to deal robustly with those irresponsible people who intentionally go against the regulations and put people at risk.”
Additional reporting by Adam Postans, a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main photo of cars on The Downs – courtesy of CYvonne/Twitter
Read more: Rees: ‘Be concerned but not alarmed about rise in Covid cases’
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