A councillor has praised Essex residents for staying at home but has called for a further reduction in non-vital travel.
Traffic data show Essex residents are largely adhering to government advice to stay at home and only go out for urgent trips.
On Tuesday, March 25, the day after the Prime Minister’s announcement of more extreme measures, traffic was a down 53 per cent compared to the same time last year.
On Thursday, March 26, traffic was 60 down compared to last year.
Deputy leader of Essex County Council and cabinet member for infrastructure, Cllr Kevin Bentley, welcomed the news, but called for further reductions in the coming weeks and months.
He said: “While it’s great to see such a reduction in travel, it’s critical that this continues to decrease, and that residents stay at home. Let’s ‘not forget that in Italy and Spain the restrictions were much more stringent, with permits required to leave home and a ban on exercise outside the home.”
Residents are advised to only leave home when shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine; to exercise, limited to once a day; for any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; or if travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.
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