LOCAL lockdown measures set to be imposed tonight will not stop the rapid spread of Covid-19, a long serving MP has warned.

Kevan Jones, who represents North Durham, said new restrictions are destined to fail in terms of reducing the spread of coronavirus without an effective testing and tracing system in place.

Mr Jones warned they are likely to confuse people, will not be properly policed and will harm the region’s economy.

He described the Government’s handling of the resurgence of Covid-19 infections in the region as a ‘farce’.

Mr Jones said: “These measures won’t work without effective test and trace and the current system in the North-East is a shambles.

“It is a shotgun approach whereas what is needed is a more targeted approach, aiming in on the outbreaks when they occur.

“The only way forward is to give the responsibility and finance to local director of public health so they can bear down on the outbreaks.

“It won’t be effective unless you get proper contact tracing in place.”

Mr Jones said the measures would also have a negative impact on jobs an unemployment in the area.

He said: “The concerning thing is the effect it is going to have on the region’s economy.

“There is no indication that there is going to support available for businesses affected. “With unemployment already rising across County Durham and the region this is going to be of great concern for a lot of businesses.”

Mr Jones said the 10pm closure of pubs and social clubs did not mean it would end the risk of Covid-19 spreading in licenced premises.

He said: “A curfew is not going to change people’s habits, people will just go out earlier.

“What is needed on bars is to give local authorities proper powers to close down those businesses that are not following the social distancing measures.

“The other thing for Durham is next week we have 20,000 new students about to start at Durham University.

“What is the Government’s strategy for that?

“There should be a testing system and strategy in place for students.”

Mr Jones said he feared the public would not know what was and was not allowed under the new rules.

He said: “The problem they have got is in communication.

“Many people will be confused about what they can and can’t do which will lead to anxiety in people.

“One problem is to do with enforcement. They approach Durham Police took is advice instead of heavy handedness.

“The confusion around the rules is going to lead to a lot of people not knowing what to do.”

The measures outlined by Health Secretary Matt Hancock follow a plea from seven North-East local authorities to act as a preventative measure to stop the rise in cases from continuing.

The Northern Echo:

Dehenna Davison

Dehenna Davison, the Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland said the significant rise locally over the past two weeks meant it was right to take action now.

She said: “County Durham has performed exceptionally well throughout the pandemic, which says so much about how local residents have got on board with the Covid secure measures and played their part in helping keep our community safe.

“Our priority must be to protect the vulnerable and ensure our our local NHS services are not overwhelmed.

“I will be monitoring the situation closely, including reviewing the local data very carefully to lobby for areas that are performing well to be released from these measures as soon as possible.

“We can all agree that we want to get back to normal life as soon as possible.

“Adhering to these new measures will not be easy for any of us, but we came together as a community before and now is the time to do it again to make sure nobody vulnerable is left behind.”