THE MAYOR of Christchurch has reiterated the need for residents to show resolve and perseverance in the face of adversity as the country succumbs to a third national lockdown.

Boris Johnson announced on Monday January 7 that the country will be plunged into a new lockdown to try to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus, as the country moved to Covid Alert Level 5.

Now a week on, Christchurch mayor Lesley Dedman has urged residents in the area to follow the government guidelines to help limit the transmission of the virus.

She said: “We in Christchurch, with the rest of the country, are now in a complete lockdown in an attempt to prevent the coronavirus spreading even further, and of course this has brought problems to many of us.

“The need to stay indoors, the inability to meet people, even our own family, takes its toll on our naturally friendly residents.

“Despite friends and neighbours rallying round to help, this can be a lonely and dispiriting time especially complicated by the uncertainty both of when this lockdown will end, and more importantly when we can all resume a more normal life free of the threat of catching a deadly disease.”

The rise in infection rates locally following the easing of restrictions during the Christmas holidays, combined with the recent spate of cold weather, is a cause for concern for many residents in the Dorset area, especially the elderly and the vulnerable.

As vaccinations continue to be rolled out across the country, many surgeries in the Christchurch area have advised patients to not contact them regarding vaccines as they attempt to keep phone lines open for those who need to speak to clinicians directly.

Cllr Dedman added: “I know the people of Christchurch will be following strictly the stringent rules laid down by our medical profession, despite the problems this may cause some of us, and will each do their own bit towards making this lockdown a success in preventing even more deaths from Covid-19 both in our town and throughout the country.”