"We won't know whether it has been effective" - second lockdown needed says public health consultant for West Yorkshire

Sarah Smith also said that while it was "needed" to stop the spread of the pandemic, there was a balance to be struck amid concerns for the effects it will have on people's physical and mental health.

Speaking in her role as public health consultant for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, she added that there is a danger the inequalities that the organisation works to address will be widened but also that there is increasing pressure on the NHS.

Ms Smith told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "All the data shows it is needed in terms of controlling the virus. We won't know for another four weeks whether it has been effective, but, controlling the spread of the virus as much as we can through reducing the contact and people interacting with each other is essential with a lockdown. It is needed at the moment.

"Other measures such as wearing face masks, washing hands and staying two metres apart is still as important in terms of controlling the spread."

She welcomed schools staying open so the gaps in learning did not become disproportionate for disadvantaged children but acknowledged that there would be added inequalities when it comes to physical and mental well-being after having cited that one of the positive side effects of the coronavirus pandemic was that people were thinking more about adapting healthy lifestyles and physical health.

Ms Smith explained: "What I would say is encourage people to get outside when they can, take breaks if working from home and build in the time to be physically active. But, we need to recognise it is difficult in winter and that has the potential to increase inequality. People don't have access to safe, green spaces. The more we can think about excercising differently within the remits, the better.

"We have got to acknowledge that, but we are seeing increasing pressure on health and care services and we are hopeful that this lockdown will contribute to reducing the virus and managing some of that."

From today, pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops will again be forced to close their doors after the Commons voted by 516 to 38 - a Government majority of 478 - for the new restrictions.

The move came as the NHS in England was set to move into its highest alert level - level 4 - from midnight amid a continuing rise in coronavirus patients needing hospital care.

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