THIRSK and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake said he is fully behind the Prime Minister’s decision to dramatically step up our response to tackling the coronavirus.

In the first of the Prime Minister’s daily coronavirus briefings on Monday, Boris Johnson announced the Government is changing course in its efforts to keep the country safe. According to new scientific advice, unless much stronger measures are put in place as many as 250,000 will die in a “catastrophic epidemic.”

Mr Hollinrake said: “The Government is acting on new advice from researchers modelling how the disease will spread, how the NHS would be overwhelmed and how many would die. As a result we are now facing the most profound changes to our daily lives.

“We now have to go all-out to stop the virus from spreading. The aim is to suppress the virus and break the chain of transmission, effectively trying to stop the epidemic in its tracks, and bring cases down as low as possible.

“There are bound to be financial consequences to a virtual shut down to businesses but, wherever possible, it should not lead to loss of jobs or the closure of businesses.

“For some days now I have been pressing for increased support for businesses and I am pleased that the Chancellor is expected to announce a bigger package of support.”