Revellers outside York Minster on a previous New Year Picture: David Harrison THE bells of York Minster will not chime in the New Year on December 31 in a bid to stop large crowds gathering to mark the start of 2021. For the first time in as long as anyone can remember, the cathedral s bells will stay silent at the start of next year with the hope that Duncombe Place and the surrounding streets will not become a focal point for revellers, as is traditionally the case. The announcement from the cathedral authorities reinforces City of York Council s strategy to prevent gatherings and maintain physical distancing in order to control the spread of the Covid-19 infection in the city of York and the wider region.
A CITY MP has raised concerns that adherence to the public health measures is flagging in York. Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, said that several constituents have “expressed serious concern about the adherence to ‘Hands-Face-Space’ measures in York”. She said: “I certainly noticed it in York over last weekend and have had a number of constituents write into me too. Clearly, it is hard to know if it is local people or people from further afield as, again, people are reporting that they have noticed a lot of visitors coming to York.” Recent data from City of York Council shows that two prominent streets - Micklegate and Parliament Street - has seen footfall rocket in the last two weeks.
Two of the city s new covid support marshalls COVID support marshals have been launched in York to ensure shoppers and businesses stick to the guidelines and discourage people from gathering - including on New Year s Eve. City of York Council said the marshals will support residents, visitors and businesses to maintain covid guidelines and protect the people and places we love. The new officers will provide advice and help to businesses and people, said a spokeswoman. They will be reminding restaurateurs or licensees about Covid guidelines, advising shoppers about face coverings, challenging group sizes or supporting covid-safe queuing to enter busy premises or at bus stops and taxi ranks.
Two of the city s new covid support marshalls COVID support marshals have been launched in York to ensure shoppers and businesses stick to the guidelines and discourage people from gathering - including on New Year s Eve. City of York Council said the marshals will support residents, visitors and businesses to maintain covid guidelines and protect the people and places we love. The new officers will provide advice and help to businesses and people, said a spokeswoman. They will be reminding restaurateurs or licensees about Covid guidelines, advising shoppers about face coverings, challenging group sizes or supporting covid-safe queuing to enter busy premises or at bus stops and taxi ranks.