‘THE South West region is too big, but Devon should be able to implement measures proportionate to the cases in our area.’

Having survived the summer and the influx of tourists, Devon has been forced back into a partial lockdown through no fault of its own – and politicians are not exactly happy about it.

Tough new measures have been introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a result of rising numbers of coronavirus cases across the country – with him warning that they ‘reserve the right to go further’ if cases continue to rise.

And he issued a stark warning that some of the restrictions could be in place for at least six months – and has yet to fully explain exactly what the strategy or the end aim for dealing with COVID-19 is.

So pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will have to close by 10pm, the number of people allowed to attend a wedding will be halved, masks will be mandated in more settings, people will once again have to return to working from home, indoor sports will have to comply with the rule of six, and spectators won’t be able to attend live sporting events.

These rules, which the Government hopes will have the effect of supressing the virus and bringing down the infections rates, will apply across the whole of England, including in Devon – despite the fact that the seven day rolling average of new cases in the county is already falling, and that the county is bottom of the table of cases per 100,000 population.

In the Devon County Council area, a total of 1,531 people have tested positive for coronavirus since the pandemic begun. In Bolton, with a quarter of Devon’s population, more people have tested positive this month – and that is despite then being under an ever-changing local lockdown.

The seven day average for new cases (which excludes the most recent five days of data) in Devon is 5.4. On September 4 it was 11. Cases in that fortnight have halved. And while that average is set to rise again following several new cases being confirmed in the Exeter area, it would still be below that early September figure.

In the past 14 days, across seven of Devon’s eight districts, and in Torbay, the average number of new cases a day being confirmed is less than 1. Since September 7, East Devon has seen 12 new cases, Mid Devon 6, North Devon 6, the South Hams 10, Teignbridge 11, Torbay 11, Torridge 7, and West Devon 3. Exeter is bucking the trend, with 37 new cases, but was only averaging 3 cases a day until 15 cases were confirmed yesterday – most of which are linked to students arriving already infected at the University.

Yet Devon’s people will have to abide by the same tough rules as parts of the country were cases are spiking and spiralling out of control. Manchester for example, has seen cases double in the last week, with that figure set to rise further when the most recent data is taken into account.

And while none of Devon’s MPs or senior politicians have criticised the curbs on people’s freedoms, it is clear that they are not entirely happen with them either.

Mel Stride, Central Devon’s MP, said that while overall the measures are balanced and proportionate, there is clear need to continue to full recognise that the economic damage associated with lockdowns provides its own challenges to health.

He said: ‘I very much welcome the balanced and proportionate set of measures and recognise ?that these are very finely balanced and very difficult decisions for him to take.

‘But lockdowns destroy jobs and also personal wellbeing and the fact that lockdowns have damaged our economy, means that in the years ahead, a smaller economy will probably have serious impacts on the health of millions of people up and down our country.’

Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, and chairman of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, said that it is important that everyone now sticks to the new rules and that urged everyone – residents and businesses – to do all they can now in order to avoid more severe restrictions being imposed in the future.

He said: ‘We broadly welcome these new restrictions which seem a sensible and proportionate response to the rise in numbers of Covid-19 cases in other parts of the country.’

But he said: ‘I do sympathise with all households and families who are being asked to limit their contact with each other once again – and particularly where this might have an impact on isolated older or vulnerable people.

‘I also sympathise and have real concern over the impact of more restrictions on our local economy which relies so heavily on tourism and leisure and has already taken such a knock over the summer, and we will do all we can to continue to help and support these businesses.

‘It is important that everyone now sticks to them and I urge everyone – residents and businesses – to do all they can now in order to avoid more severe restrictions being imposed in the future.

‘We have been fortunate in Devon that, with the support and common sense of our residents, the number of cases has stayed very low despite the easing of lockdown restrictions and visitors over the summer.

‘It has been a huge effort and has had a huge impact all our lives, our families and our livelihoods, but our relatively low number of cases so far also means there is little immunity here and we are very susceptible to any second wave.’

Cllr Hart made it clear that that going back to a full lockdown with all the implications this would have on people’s health, on the welfare of the elderly and vulnerable, on our children’s education and on the local economy and jobs, would be an absolute disaster.

But added that despite low number in Devon, with growing numbers across the country, ‘we need to break the chain now and, with winter approaching, stop the spread before it gets out of hand’.

He said: ‘I urge everyone to take personal responsibility and be extra cautious, and particularly our young people who perhaps have begun to feel invulnerable to the virus.

‘The fact is that by not respecting the basic rules such as social distancing or not meeting up in groups you risk spreading the virus in our community and you put others, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, at risk.’