‘Where there was clarity there is now muddle; where there was certainty there is now doubt...’

That’s the verdict of Gordon Hook, Leader of Teignbridge Council, as the Government’s coronavirus message moved from ‘Stay at Home’ to ‘Stay Alert’.

‘Here in South Devon, we have managed to stay well behind the Coronavirus infection curve, and I want us to stay there. Local “success” to date has been based on residents following a clear instruction. Stay at home.

‘That is no longer the case, as travel restrictions are lifted and the high risk now is that visitors will travel to spend time in our most beautiful environment.

‘I understand the desire to do that, but they won’t just bring sandwiches with them, the very real danger, of course, is that lifting the travel restrictions will invite infection into the area, and so this is potentially a death sentence for west country residents, who until now have by and large followed the clear instructions. The health and safety of people comes before any other consideration in my book, and it is too early to lift the clear Stay At Home message. Be Alert is simply meaningless.

‘While I understand the wish to get the economy moving again, that must not be at the cost of human life. Neither must it be socially divisive. Working from home, one of the instructions, is all well and good for those who are better off and can afford to do so.

‘Many who are being encouraged back to work don’t have the luxury of working from home, and one thing this awful illness has highlighted is how much we need and value those who don’t have the option of working from home, the nurse, our waste collectors, postmen, those working in pharmacies and delivery drivers. The decision by our government is economically driven and not health-related.

‘If it wasn’t for the weather and the midges, I could see much benefit in living in Scotland ( or Wales or Ireland) right now, as their national leadership is straightforward, unequivocal and sensible.

‘Of course, we need to plan for economic revival in a virus-free future. Teignbridge Council is actively engaged in planning the local recovery right now.

‘I see the merit in allowing tennis, golf and fishing to go-ahead but if the death toll locally now rises in the weeks to come we will all know where the blame lies. I urge wherever possible that residents should continue to Stay at Home.’