Whatever happens, we must stick to rules to protect lives, say council leaders and MPs
Council leaders and MPs have called for people to adhere to the rules to protect lives when lockdown ends on December 2.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce his plan for winter today, including a strengthened three-tier system of local restrictions for England.
Downing Street has said this is expected to come into force when the national lockdown ends on December 2.
Dudley North MP Marco Longhi said he empathised with residents as he knows how hard it is as he is currently self-isolating after coming into contact with someone with coronavirus.
He said about lockdown ending: "It's going to require a change in behaviour for ourselves as this virus behaves according to how we behave.
"I know how tough this is on people, I'm still part way through a two-week isolation for having come into contact with a person with Covid myself.
"I understand people are frustrated, but the alternative is if we behave normally, if the virus is among us, it starts filling up hospitals.
"I don't have symptoms now, I did have a temperature at the beginning so I had a test which came back negative.
"My point to everybody is if in doubt, do a test."
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said he expected the whole of the West Midlands will be in the higher tier.
He said: "Whatever tier we are in people have got to adhere to the rules and that's why we're in the situation, people have got complacent.
"The increase in numbers speaks for itself.
"Everybody is fed up with the whole situation, let's hope the vaccine is successful."
Councillor Bird added: "I am fearful about people mixing at Christmas because I think we might see the numbers sky rocket in January.
"People should still take the precautions that we're all getting used to now.
"There's many Christmases ahead but not if you have died.
"I'm anticipating Walsall and the whole of the West Midlands will be in the higher tier."
And Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson said protecting lives is his priority.
He said: "I am still adamant we've got to do everything we can to save lives and control the virus.
"People say it would be great to return back to normal but it would last only a few weeks or a month and then we'd be overwhelmed.
"I've said right the way through we must do everything we can to protect lives and that's my priority.
"We're just seeing a reduction in the last few days but the numbers are still very high.
"I'll be glad that we're coming out of lockdown, I want to see what the tiers are, then to see what the best is for Wolverhampton.
"I'm not anti-lockdown or anti-tier, we've got to have a pragmatic approach.
"I'm keen to get the shops and personal care, hairdressers and gyms and places of worship open."
'Nothing set in stone'
While Stafford Borough Council leader Patrick Farrington said people need to put on a "brave face".
He added: "Nothing is set in stone at the moment so I think that obviously central Government ministers have a very difficult decision to take.
"I saw something on the news calling it the golden quarter as a lot of businesses hope to increase their turnover at this time of the year so I do empathise with these businesses who are missing out at the moment.
"In Staffordshire particularly the numbers are not healthy just at the moment.
"It's like looking for the greater good and the balance between health and the economy, it's hard to think through these things for the best sometimes.
"There is a suggestion of a fourth tier and having different restrictions for that tier but I don't know what they're going to be.
"I just hope that everybody continues to put on a brave face, we will get through it."
Nicola Richards, MP for West Bromwich East, added: "It's too soon to know what's it's going to mean for Sandwell because the rates have been quite high.
"I'm hoping that they'll leave it as late as possible to decide what tiers areas are going into as if we were to base it on what's been happening over the last week it would mean we're in the higher tier.
"It's just really important that people continue to follow the rules, it's not over."
