Coronavirus (Covid-19)

This dedicated section of my website aims to provide constituents with up to date information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please use the tabs on the left to find information and advice on the most commonly asked questions.

An interactive map on the latest data of cases in our area can be found at this link: coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map. Zoom in for local detail.

Find out what support you can get if you are affected by coronavirus at this government website page: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support

Coronavirus is an unprecedented challenge and one of great concern. We live in an area which has the highest average age in the UK. This makes it even more important that residents take care of themselves, and others. Everyone in Parliament and Government is determined that we will get the country through this.

As you can imagine, we are experiencing an unprecedented level of casework from individuals with unique challenges. I have therefore provided information and links to official advice and will continue to update as the situation changes. Please do check these first and if your query is not answered then I, and my small team, will do our best to help.

Useful links: Gov.UK, BBC News, NHS, News from Parliament.

See Also

News

Covid laws must be proportionate and fair

In Parliament, we’ve been legislating to take action against the unwelcome new COVID variant which has been found in the UK and across the globe. Termed the Omicron variant, we don’t yet know how the vaccine responds to it or its rate of transmission.

Why I voted against delaying 'Freedom Day'

This week in Parliament, attention focussed again on the COVID restrictions which we have all been living with since March of last year. The Government had decided to delay the date for the ending of the last remaining restrictions.

Huw speaks out against extending lockdown restrictions

Local MP Huw Merriman spoke out against extending COVID restrictions until 19 July.

Huw argued that the sacrifices of the entire nation, old and young, alongside our world-leading vaccine dividend, and the resilience of the NHS, should see our freedoms restored.

Questioning Coronavirus Measures

More positive news on the vaccine roll-out this week; one million residents of Sussex will have received their jab by the end of this week. In the constituency I represent, 60% of the adults who make up the 100,000 constituents have received their first jab.

High hopes for dates to end lockdown

This week saw the creation of a series of lockdown calendars. A countdown to 8 March for all pupils to get back to the classroom; 29 March to sit in your neighbour’s garden; 12 April to get a haircut (very welcome); 17 May to have a pint inside a pub.

Another busy and challenging week

More positive news with our local vaccination roll-out. With only a week to go to hit the mid-February target, 87.8% of over 80s, 87.5% of over 75s, 63.1% of over 70s and 66.7% of the clinically extremely vulnerable in East Sussex had received their first vaccination by 8 February.

MP in vaccination call

With one week remaining to vaccinate the first four priority groups of residents, Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, has urged residents to ensure they don’t miss out.

Watch: Vote on Latest Covid-19 Restrictions

The reasoning behind my vote tonight on the latest measures to slow the spread of Covid-19 and my message to all young people that the older generation owe them a debt which we will repay.

My new year's message is 'get vaccinated'

So it’s farewell 2020. When I delivered my column a year ago, as I looked ahead to the year now passing, I wrote that ‘the challenges to come are immense’. Looking back on my list, these were nothing on the scale I envisaged.