OXFORDSHIRE MPs, councillors and GPs have reacted to Boris Johnson's new lockdown rules – some branding them 'confusing' and warning that they could cost lives.

The Prime Minister announced the new rules in a speech to the nation at 7pm last night.

In brief, he said:

  • We could go outside for UNLIMITED exercise and even sunbathing
  • People who cannot work from home will now be encouraged to go back to work if they 'have to' like builders and maintenance workers
  • Fines will be increased for the 'small minority' who break the rules
  • If all goes to plan the school pupils will begin going back to the classroom in June and pubs and restaurants will start reopening in July

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford GP Joe McManners, Labour city councillor and former clinical chair of the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: "As a society we have managed to make sacrifices to support the NHS and save lives. But we cannot reverse all that without a clear plan.

"I’d like to have the confidence that Boris Johnson and the Government have a proper worked up plan to deal with Covid-19 and get our lives back to normal. Unfortunately listening to today’s announcements, I can’t say I have.

"The lock down is undoubtedly causing harm, but to lift it without understanding of how to keep the virus suppressed is not right. I’m worried that the sacrifices that have been made may be lost. Vague slogans about ‘keeping vigilant’ are not enough and are hard to understand."

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran said the 'confusing message' could cost lives.

She said: "After feeling overwhelmed by the differing statements and slogans from the Government this week, the public will now be underwhelmed by the Prime Minister's statement, which raises far more questions than answers.

"Bad communication costs lives; the Government and the Prime Minister are woefully underperforming here, and for all our sakes they must do better."

Ms Moran, who is in the running to become the next leader of the Lib-Dems, added that Mr Johnson gave 'vague' statements about being able to go to 'other places' and 'work if you can' rather than 'tighter instructions'.

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford East MP and Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds pledged to would work with the government to make sure residents were not hit so hard by the financial implications.

She said: "I do acknowledge that the restrictions pose many challenges for people across the community, and I will continue to work with the government to ensure it does everything it can to mitigate the financial implications of the continuing lockdown."

Meanwhile on social media Oxford residents said the message was 'confusing'.

One person tweeted: "Well I’m glad I’m not the only one confused! #Stayalert What’s that mean ???"

While others slammed the decision, saying it could lead to another peak in the number of people who die.

Oxford Mail:

  • However Conservative county councillor Liam Walker said that blame could not be pinned on the government, tweeting: “Everyone on Twitter seems to be an expert in tackling the coronavirus. If there is another peak it is not the governments fault but all those that have been ignoring the rules over the past few weeks. It’s too easy just to blame others than to take personal responsibility.”

He also shared a Nando's themed poster, comparing the chicken restaurant's chilli scale to the government's new five tier Covid alert system. Green – the least hottest – represents the end of the virus.

Oxford Mail: