Surge in coronavirus cases puts North Yorkshire at 'tipping point'

Richard Flinton, chairperson of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience forum, which includes the emergency services, councils and health chiefs, said the county was at a "tipping point" and it was the responsibility of each and everyone to a part and follow distancing guidelines.

The appeal comes on the back of surging infection rates in Craven and also a rise in Richmondshire. Scarborough and Selby remain on the Government watch list as areas of concern.

Mr Flinton said: “Rather than wait for government intervention and the imposition of more serious lockdown measures being faced by people in many parts of the north of England, we are appealing to people to take the necessary precautions now.

“We must not risk everything we have achieved in North Yorkshire by letting our guard down. Social distancing and hand washing remain the best defences against Covid – with face coverings where required. We also urge everybody to keep to the rule of six, inside as well as out.

“We would also like to go a little further than that to protect our schools, businesses and freedoms here – we are not waiting for more areas to go onto a watch list to step up our response.

"We would ask that you wear a facemask or covering in any areas where social distancing is difficult – even when outside.

“So, if you are in a narrow street or other busy area please cover your face – be part of Team North Yorkshire and help keep our county open. Protect your friends and family and keep our High Streets and hospitality sector safe and open.

“We will all need to work hard together if we are to avoid enforced national interventions, which may prevent us from being with our friends and family.

“It can be done. Rates have come down in Selby and Scarborough which are on the watch list as areas of concern. That is a great achievement by communities in those districts. Thank you for all your efforts and sacrifice. We have shown we can pull together to beat Covid.”