Councillor Roger Truelove.
Swale could face a longer period of high-level restrictions for people’s social life and the economy if the rate of covid infection cannot be contained.
Swale Borough Council’s leader addressed councillors at last week’s council meeting as Swale’s infection rate inches towards almost 600 per 100,000 people.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:
“Unless we can level off the rate of growth in covid infections in the borough, we risk a longer period of high-level restrictions beyond 2 Dec.
“Infection rates have reached 584 per 100,000 people, and if we don’t do something to contain it we risk spending Christmas in lockdown.
“Before the Prime Minister introduced the new nationwide restrictions earlier this month, we were being pressed by the Government and Kent County Council to go into Tier 2 - the High-Risk status - and we risk being placed in this tier when national lockdown ends if cases continue to rise.
“Swale now has the second highest rate of infection in Kent with increasing numbers in care homes and a higher rate of infection amongst 65+ age group than in many parts of the county.
“The virus spreads virulently through close personal contact and we can only tackle the issue if we comply with government guidelines.
“It’s our duty as a council to encourage and urge people to comply with the restrictions in place and to closely monitor the business community to ensure people’s safety.
“I urge councillors to spread a message of compliance and to discourage anybody who wishes to glory in their non-compliance.”
Swale Borough Council
