Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about the coronavirus pandemic and measures to protect public health.

While no one doubts the urgency of the situation presented by COVID-19, I recognise your concerns about the extension of emergency powers required to tackle this public health emergency and the impact of these powers on basic rights.

The British people have made so many enormous sacrifices in the interest of protecting public health and I recognise the strong feelings of those who wish to end restrictions. However, while these limitations are not in any way desirable or perfect, I do not believe there is any excuse for inaction or for allowing the virus to continue to spread. I will always act in the national interest to protect public health and that is why I did not vote against regulations for a tiered system across England.

The new three-tier system of local restrictions is now in place and Ministers have committed to review restrictions every two weeks. I believe the Government must publish clear, transparent rules for areas entering and leaving tiers so that everyone can judge these decisions publicly. Going forward, I hope that Ministers set out a clear route map for easing restrictions.

In the meantime, progress in securing a vaccine for COVID-19 is welcome and I pay tribute to all those involved. Vaccinations save lives and I believe we must do everything possible to promote uptake. While the Government is strongly urging everyone to take up the offer of a vaccine, it has confirmed that they will not be compulsory.

The UK has the highest regulatory and medical safety standards in the world. However, I know that people in our constituency and across the country will have legitimate questions. It is important that the Government launches a public information campaign to answer questions and encourage uptake.

In your letter, you also raise concerns about the mandatory wearing of face coverings. As you know, the Government is urging people to wear face coverings to reduce the spread of the virus and to give people confidence to return to shops safely. A study by the University of Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science shows that cloth face coverings are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19, for the wearer and those around them.

As your elected representative, I welcome your views on these important issues. I will continue to bear in mind the points you have raised as measures relating to COVID-19 are debated in Parliament.

Thank you once again for contacting me.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP