Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:

“Cumbria goes into Tier 4 Restrictions from midnight tonight. I attended a Department of Health and Social Care Briefing earlier today and sadly the epidemiological data indicate that these stricter measures are now necessary for our area in our fight to control this virus. I know this will be frustrating and upsetting for many, not least the businesses that will be severely impacted, but I firmly believe the Government is right to be pursuing this approach in order to keep us safe and protect the NHS. The good news today that a second vaccine against Covid-19 has now been approved for use by the Medicines Regulator means that hope is on its way, but we need to keep observing these strict public health measures in the meantime until the vaccine has been rolled out fully.”