Colchester MP Will Quince has said Essex “cannot be complacent in our fight against coronavirus.”

Mr Quince said he had attended talks with Essex County Council’s leader and director of public health ahead of the bid to put the county into the high alert level.

Mr Quince admitted he had concerns about the decision but said he did support the move.

He said: "On balance I supported ECC’s decision on the basis of the clear advice of their director of public health and on the condition that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Chief Medical Officer approved the request if agreement is reached on the evidence presented.

“I want to be clear that I remain concerned about the consequences that this decision will have for many constituents and businesses, who are understandably worried about how these new restrictions will impact them without additional support.

“I have therefore written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Business Secretary to ask for additional support.

"Although not exclusively, my primary concern is the impact that Covid Level High status will have on hospitality businesses across Essex.”

Mr Quince said the decision had not been taken lightly.

He added: “I know ow difficult this pandemic has been for everyone.

"Loved ones have not been able to see each other properly, businesses have had to make difficult decisions, and we have experienced curbs to our daily lives and liberties in ways not experienced in many of our lifetimes.

“However, I hope you can understand that no authority takes these decisions lightly, and nobody wants to see this continue for any longer than it is needed.

"Now more than ever, it is important that we work together in this national fight against coronavirus to save lives, stop the NHS from being overwhelmed, and bring the transmission rates of this horrible virus back under control.”