RYEDALE residents are being urged to work together to protect the community as the country faces a second spike of coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday (Tuesday) that further restrictions would be put in place across England - which could last up to six months - to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Johnson told MPs the UK has reached a “perilous turning point” in its fight against coronavirus.

To help reduce the spread of Covid-19, a number of new restrictions are being put in place, including the requirement to wear face coverings extended to staff in retail, users of taxis and customers of indoor hospitality.

From tomorrow (Thursday), all pubs bars and restaurants must operate table service only and must close at 10pm. Office workers who can work from home will once again be asked to do so.

Retail, leisure and other sectors’ coronavirus guidance has become a legal obligations with businesses facing fines and closures if they do not comply.

Rory Queen, who runs Chapter Two in Malton and the Cresswell Arms at Appleton-le-Street, said: “We as a team will look at the opening times at both establishments.

“We will base it on the track and trace system, table service and trusting our lovely clientele to do the right thing.

“In truth we have noticed a marked move in when customers choose to socialise at Chapter Two and the Cresswell.

“More are now what we call teatime drinkers and business dies off at about 9pm to 9.30pm, so in a nutshell 10pm shouldn’t be a problem.

“I have noticed many younger ones drink at home then venture out later. We will not allow entry to these groups as we have always done.

“My biggest contention is the face mask rules, it makes it tough for my staff and customers, the heat and lack of expression given. But if we must we will abide by the rules.”

He added: “We live in a great caring community and feel that the majority are being penalised by the minority once again.”

Latest figures confirm the number of new cases of coronavirus recorded in North and East Yorkshire are continuing to rise.

Data from Public Health England shows the total number of cases reported yesterday (Tuesday) for Ryedale are 160 - no change from the previous day, (288.9 rate per 100,000 population); Scarborough - 690 up six (634.4); City of York - 1,147 up 12 (544.6); North Yorkshire - 3,331 up 30 (538.9); and East Riding of Yorkshire - 1,888 up 17 (553.4)

There has been a total of 403,551 cases of the Covid-19 in the UK, 4,962 in the last 24 hours. All of these figures include both pillar 1 and pillar 2 cases.

Malton’s mayor, Cllr Paul Emberley said: “The latest figures for coronavirus cases in Ryedale are very worrying.

“Whilst the rise in the number of cases continues to be more steady compared with the national picture and other hot spots elsewhere in our region, there’s absolutely no room for complacency.

“First and foremost, we must continue to do everything we can to protect the people who live in our town, carefully balancing this against the need for our traders to remain open.

“And so I appeal to all our residents - follow the latest guidelines to protect each other, support our local traders wherever you can, and please, don’t even think of buying more than you need in our bigger shops and supermarkets.

“Demand may be high, but there’s enough for everyone.”

Cllr Di Keal, from the the Ryedale Covid19 Volunteer Network, which was set up at the start of the pandemic in March, said: “Unfortunately, it looks like the numbers of people testing positive for Covid-19 in North Yorkshire is growing again and we are facing a second spike of the virus.

“The number of cases isn’t as high in Ryedale as in other parts of the county, but no-one wants this figure to rise, so everyone needs to work together to protect their families, friends and others in our community.”

Cllr Keal added: “Just like they did way back from the start of lockdown in March and April, our volunteers from the Ryedale Covid-19 Volunteer Network are ready to step up and help with everyday tasks such as shopping, collecting prescriptions and delivering meals from our community kitchen.

“There are a lot of people in Ryedale who are vulnerable and scared who will need ongoing support - if you need assistance or you need to self isolate for medical reasons we are here to help.”