As Kent prepares to enter a second lockdown council leaders have urged residents to comply with the latest restrictions.

Around 1.8million people living in the county will be expected to stay at home as much as possible from tomorrow (Thursday) until at least Wednesday, December 2, as restaurants, pubs and non-essential shops are forced to close in England.

Kent has 14 local authorities and its council leaders were caught by surprise over the timing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement on Saturday.

A private meeting was held between Kent council leaders on Friday and the "feeling" behind the scenes was that the county would have been able to "hold off" from tighter restrictions for at least another seven to 10 days.

Some have expressed their "disappointment" that the lockdown is happening as the number of people catching coronavirus in Kent remains lower than other parts of the country, such as Liverpool and Manchester in the north.

But infection rates of Covid-19, which currently sit at about 97 cases per 100,000, continue to climb across the county. On Friday last week, the rate was 83, but that was almost double the level from the week before.

In the summer, people would have had to quarantine for 14 days if they came back from a Covid hotspot where there were as few as 20 cases, per 100,000.

Local authority chiefs heading Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Gravesham, Maidstone, Medway and Sevenoaks councils have given their public support to the new measures, despite political differences.

Cllr Roger Gough (Con), who is the leader of Kent County Council (KCC), said: "I know how hard the prospect of another national lockdown is.

"We will do everything we can to support local businesses, many of which have already suffered and will have to now remain closed until December.

“Ultimately, we will come through this and there will be relief for businesses, livelihoods and people’s lives."

Maidstone Borough Council leader Martin Cox (Lib Dem) said: "We must not be complacent and Kent must consider itself as part of the rest of the country that is dealing with this pandemic for a second time."

Gravesham Borough Council leader John Burden (Lab) added: “Locally here in Kent we have seen a sharp rise in infection rates over the last week or so which will inevitably and sadly lead to a rise in deaths. If a lockdown is what is needed to bring that spike back under control then it has to be supported."

Calls have been made by some Kent council leaders urging the Government to focus on creating a "robust" coronavirus test and trace system so restrictions can be eased after December 2.

Canterbury council leader Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding (Con) said: "I believe localised measures are the most appropriate way of controlling infection outbreaks. For this to work, test and trace needs to be extremely effective.

"However, given the national picture right now, I understand why lockdown is necessary."

There are key differences from the upcoming lockdown compared to the one imposed in March. The Government has made it clear that its expects some public services to remain open, as well as workplaces, schools and colleges.

In Kent, recycling centres will remain open for socially distanced use, adults and children will still receive social care and parks will be open for exercise.

In addition, KCC has extended financial support for its Covid-19 business helpline after adding £100,000 to keep it running until the end of the year.

However, leisure centres and gyms will have to close while weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not take place during this period.

Medway Council leader Alan Jarrett (Con) described the Covid lockdown as "disappointing" but said he was pleased the furlough scheme will be extended throughout November to protect local jobs.

"We have one of the lowest rates of infection in the country and that is because the majority of us behave responsibly and adhere to the rules."

Folkestone and Hythe council leader David Monk (Con) also expressed his disappointment about the need for a lockdown.

He said "We have one of the lowest rates of infection in the country and that is because the majority of us behave responsibly and adhere to the rules."

Sevenoaks council leader Peter Fleming (Con) added: "The county has remained significantly below the England average for cases. A Kent, district or ward level approach would certainly be the best approach post lockdown."

Meanwhile, Dover council's leader Trevor Bartlett (Con) has described the current predicament as "uncertain times for everyone" and Swale council leader Roger Truelove (Lab), whose authority is one of the major Kent hotspots for coronavirus cases, said: "No-one wanted this to happen."

Tunbridge Wells council leader Alan McDermott (Con) described the Prime Minister's decision as "understandable" as Covid cases continue to grow.

Ashford council's leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson (Con) added: "By acting quickly and decisively now, we can hopefully keep our infection rates under control and come out of national lockdown more quickly."

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