Middlesbrough Mayor, Andy Preston, has said he doesn't accept the new lockdown measures being imposed by the Government as they are based on ignorance and factual inaccuracies.

Mayor Preston said he was ‘really disappointed’ in the new laws, which will ban mixing between different households at home and in public venues.

He argued that NHS Test and Trace data showed the majority (80%) of those who tested positive for COVID-19 last month were exposed to the virus by a household member or visitor.

The council has proposed just banning socialising inside homes, arguing this would be the best way to protect jobs and mental health.

Govt Restrictions Are Unacceptable

We tried to communicate with govt but they didn’t listen

They’re imposing restrictions that’ll kill viable jobs & damage mental health

I do not accept the government’s intended restrictions - they’re based on ignorance

Updates to follow pic.twitter.com/ZqtE1ES8gm

— Andy Preston Mayor (@Tees_Issues) October 1, 2020

Mayor Preston said: ‘The Government has ignored us. I strongly disagree with their decision and will go on making the case that this isn't right at this moment in time for Middlesbrough.

’In the meantime we will start working on local measures to try and protect people's wellbeing and jobs.’