A second, shorter national lockdown was announced by the Prime Minister this weekend, and will see pubs, restaurants, and non-essential shops close for a second time in 2020.

When the first lockdown was announced in March, the Kenilworth community responded immediately to care for one another, and much of the work done by volunteers has been continued since the relaxation of restrictions came into effect.

Speaking to Kenilworth Nub News this weekend, Kenilworth's Mayor Cllr Richard Dickson has called for residents to continue to care for one another in the same fashion this November.

"A second national lockdown starting this coming Thursday until December 2 is obviously not good news.

"Kenilworth residents, businesses, our NHS staff and the COVID-19 Support Kenilworth group volunteers were brilliant in the first lockdown and we'll need the same sense of care and community once again.

"Let's look out for our neighbours and for our young people and their teachers as they stay in school. Remember it won't always be like this, things will get better."

Cllr Dickson's words come as the Covid-19 Support Kenilworth Group have also issued a statement to residents to reassure the most vulnerable in the town that help is still available.

Panic buying? Not in Kenilworth

The start of the first lockdown back in March saw a swathe of panic buying of essential items from supermarkets across the country. Toilet roll, bread and pasta were seemingly high on the list.

As we approach a second national lockdown, Kenilworth resident Clive Peacock said to Nub News that "In the public interest I visited Sainsbury's at 9am this morning expecting to find queues and empty shelves inside.

"None of that I'm pleased to report.

"We in Kenilworth are clearly being highly responsible and avoiding the horrors and irresponsibility of the last lockdown. Well done all."

What is the situation in Warwickshire?

The weekly update from the Leader and Chief Executive of Warwick District Council on Friday (October 30) explained the current infection rate in the region.

On Friday there were 228.9 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents in Warwick District, roughly twice as many as there were the week before.

As you can see from the graph, this figure has been rising consistently in all districts of the Warwickshire county since the middle of September.

To help monitor the situation a new Covid-19 testing centre has been opened in Leamington, and appointments can be booked online.

The new restrictions have also received criticism nationally and locally, as a petition has been started to include school closures in the new rules.

This has thus far had over 310,000 signatures in the UK, with 316 of those coming from the Kenilworth and Southam constituency.