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Mar 2020

Coronavirus

Harrogate district adjusts to life on coronavirus lockdown

Published: 24 Mar 2020, 17:25 GMT

Updated: 25 Mar 2020, 10:58 GMT

by Connor Creaghan

We put up a post on social media post last night asking people how they felt about the new lockdown rules

The Harrogate district is on lockdown.

People in the Harrogate district are adjusting to life on the coronavirus lockdown but many still have questions about how it will work.

Last night, prime minister Boris Johnson said that people will only be permitted to go outside to shop for food or medicine, to exercise once a day and to travel to and from essential work.

North Yorkshire Police will, from Thursday, be able to disperse gatherings and fine people caught flouting the rules between £30 and £1,000.

There is still some confusion about the rules with the police looking to “obtain the details of the new legislation."

We put up a post on social media post last night asking people how they felt about the new lockdown rules and here is what they said:

Richard Corfield: "It's a shame this has been needed, as sensible behaviour could have allowed us to leave it advisory. But then we saw the stockpiling for no need and we've seen the massive groups out and about. The advice on pubs was a bit woolly and the advice on going to the country "all the parks are free!" was maybe wrong."

Helen Bainbridge: "It is definitely necessary. We were busier than ever yesterday. I work in a bank and it was madness."

Ann Speed: "Sad but necessary. Maybe if people had listened and acted responsibly earlier it would have slowed it down. We have pretty much been self isolating for two weeks now. Only going out for food or a drive for a bit of different scenery"

Rachel Demain said: "Been out of for my first walk of the new rules. It was nice to get out and will make the world of difference to my Mental Health that will give me the resources to cope. I am definitely not going to push my luck with my health or incurring a fine."

Michelle Recchia: "The problem is the word necessary. If he had said only key workers are classed as necessary. That would have made it clear. We all now know who fall into this category. For me necessary is if the only way you can make a living as you cannot work at home and you can still maintain the 2m guidance ect. For many self employed particularly in the construction industry could still work for now."

So far there are 24 confirmed coronavirus cases in North Yorkshire with one death at Harrogate District Hospital.