Leading figures in Dover district have given a grim acceptance to the "awful" new lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night announced the third such national action as infections rates from coronavirus reached their worst.

John Angell, chairman of the business group Dover Town Team, said: "It is with great disappointment to hear that the country has had to go into a third lockdown.

"But the virus is now at its most virulent and all measures must be taken to control it and preserve life.

"For businesses in Dover, especially the hospitality trade which has been closed since November, this will be an especially challenging time.

"I hope that the Government will look at giving those businesses a series of measures of support to help them survive this difficult period."

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, leader of Dover District Council said: “We do understand how people must be feeling, facing another lockdown after all the challenges of the last year.

"However, it’s vital that we all continue to work together to battle this terrible pandemic.

"Across the district, we’ve seen an outstanding community effort as partner organisations, communities and town and parish councils came together to support the most vulnerable members of our communities during lockdown.

"We continue to work together to protect communities, and we continue to look ahead for a brighter future.”

Paul Graeme, Sandwich mayor, said:"It's not good news and this is the third time asking.

"But we must encourage everyone to obey the regulations set out by the Prime Minister otherwise we might have another lockdown or we may not be able to come out of this one quickly.

"The key is the vaccinations and once we progress with those we will see a reduction in conditions."

The town's MP Craig Mackinlay, for Thanet South agreed that vaccines are the “route out of this wretched situation”.

He also urged anyone who has doubts as to whether they might have Covid to get tested.

The Prime Minister hopes 13 million people - everyone over 70 and the most clinically vulnerable - can receive a jab by mid-February.

Government scientists have previously said this could prevent 88% of all coronavirus deaths.

Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke is yet to respond but last night she retweeted health secretary Matt Hancock's tweet showing an infection rate graph that explains "why these measures are necessary."

David Shaw, chairman of Sandwich Chamber of Trade, said: "Businesses are going to have to adapt to what is the new normal is once it's understood what that is going to be, possibly come Easter.

"This has sped things up and it's going to be difficult to adapt, some might not be able to.

"The government, when supporting businesses financially should advise them on how it might be done.

"But this has been forced on us and it's awful news.

"It's going to be tough for everybody but everyone's doing the best they can."

Mayor of Dover, Cllr Gordon Cowan said: “We need this current lockdown to help beat Covid-19; it’s appropriate, proportionate and we could wish it had been done earlier.

"It really is important we all stick to the rules to relieve the pressure on the NHS and stem infections and, indeed, deaths.

"With the testing and vaccination programmes underway, we can look forward to the release of the pandemic restrictions but, for now, we must stay home and stay safe."

Deal mayor Eileen Rowbotham said: "This latest lockdown is regrettable but necessary.

"With the increase in infection rates, complicated by a highly contagious new variant, the decision to close schools except for the children of key workers and those who are most vulnerable is to be welcomed.

"Staying at home and self-isolating where possible is going to be important if we want to reduce infection within our community.

"It will not be easy.

"Many families, especially those with child care responsibilities will find the weeks ahead difficult. However, it is vitally important to protect the resources of the NHS by reducing hospital admissions."

Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday morning announced £4.6 billion of new grants to support businesses until the Spring in response to. The money will go to businesses previously eligible.

Around 600,000 retail, hospitality and leisure firms will be able to claim a one-off grant of up to £9,000.

But industry body UKHospitality said the help was not enough and pressure group CAMRA blasted the move to ban people from picking up takeaway pints, saying it will ruin many small pubs.

"The immediate future still unclear in terms of local and national restrictions for businesses such as ours..."

The Astor Theatre in Deal has cancelled the few events it had on its socially distanced schedule.

Creative director James Tillitt said: "As we find ourselves cancelling shows once more, and with the immediate future still unclear in terms of local and national restrictions for businesses such as ours, a decision has been made that The Astor will remain closed to all events and activities until we are allowed to reopen properly.

"Our preference is to open fully when we are able to confidently schedule events that can play to a full capacity and without threat of cancellation. At this point we are committed to presenting a full Autumn schedule but we will be keeping an eye on the situation to see whether it is viable and prudent to operate before that time."

Deal and Walmer Chamber of Commerce has been asked to comment.

The cross channel ferry industry, which last year took a hit that resulted in job losses, has seen a decline in freight numbers in the first days of this year.

A DFDS spokeswoman said ferries are quieter than usual and added: "DFDS is continuing to operate its full sailing schedule, with three ships running on the Dover to Calais route and three ships on the Dover to Dunkirk route.

"While traffic volumes since the turn of the year for freight have been lower than at the same time last year, volumes are expected to steadily pick up over the next few weeks. Customers can rest assured that the company will continue to offer flexibility, frequency and its usual high standard of service to help keep goods moving throughout the pandemic. Passenger volumes remain very low as a result of the travel restrictions in place due to Covid-19, but we look forward to welcoming travellers back onboard when non-essential travel is permitted."

P&O Ferries hasn't commented.

Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council advocated all Kent schools should be closed amid growing concern on Sunday.

After Monday night's announcement he said: "The latest Coronavirus figures clearly show the virus is surging and this third national lockdown is, however regrettably, undoubtedly necessary to get the number of infections down.

"I know how hard another lockdown will be – not being able to see loved ones, being stuck indoors yet again, a huge impact on businesses and livelihoods – but this is a moment in which we can save lives and prepare for a post-Covid future."

The previous lockdowns were in March and November.

The number of people who tested positive for coronavirus in a 24-hour period nationally by yesterday (Monday) reached 58,784.

This is the highest ever figure over one day since the pandemic first gripped the world in March.

A total 75,431 have died from the illness in the UK in the last 10 months.

These are people who have tested positive in the last 28 days of their lives.

Dover district had 578 new cases of coronavirus in the past seven days making it the second lowest in the county and the area with the largest decrease. There have been 216 deaths.

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