BARGAIN hunters and businesses were both left empty-handed on Boxing Day as shops across Oxfordshire were forced to stay shut on what is frequently their busiest day of the year.
Much of central Oxford was deserted yesterday as the shutters remained firmly down on closed shops after the county entered Tier 4 at midnight.
Oxfordshire was put under the highest restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus.
ALSO READ: Here's what you can and can't do in Tier 4
Other shopping centres around the county such as Bicester Village - which usually sees people visit from around the country - were also closed.
The Tier 4 restrictions include not leaving your house unless you have a reasonable excuse, not meeting anybody indoors (including over the Christmas and New Year period) unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble, and meeting only one person from another household in public places outdoors.
Non-essential shops must stay closed unless offering a click-and-collect or delivery service.
Instead of shopping, many flocked to Port Meadow in Oxford for a healthy Boxing Day walk with the horses there.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday: “We all know that 2020 has been a hard year and it’s ending in this festive period which is going to be very different.”
ALSO READ: 'We're in Tier 4 - now let's pull together to beat virus’ says Oxford City Council leader
He said a new variant of the coronavirus was spreading at a ‘dangerous’ rate and that it was ‘absolutely vital’ to act.
The leader of Oxford City Council has called on communities to ‘pull together’ to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Susan Brown urged caution to bring under control the new strain of the virus until the Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out. But she stressed there was ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ with jabs already being administered.
Ms Brown said: “For many of us, Tier 4 restrictions start after we have already experienced what has been a very different Christmas Day, and as we approach the New Year.
“None of us want to be in this situation so it is really important that we follow the guidance, ensure we are not mixing households outside support bubbles and spend New Year’s Eve in our own homes.
ALSO READ: Bicester family 'blessed' to receive free Christmas dinner
“We all wish for a better 2021. To help ensure that, we must all pull together and take steps to slow the spread of the virus over the next few months until the vaccination is fully rolled out.”
A number of Oxford businesses are still open for click and collect and delivery services.
Some of these include Alden Meatmaster, Bonners greengrocer, Oxford Aromatics, Truck Store, Daisies Flower Shop and Summertown Cycles.
Ms Brown added: “To our businesses who have just faced a really challenging year, and are worried about the future, I want to reassure them that the council will continue to work to provide all the support we can, while pressing the Government to offer further assistance.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel