A LACK of clear Covid rules has given rise to grey areas leaving residents in a difficult position - says a Southend MP.

Sir David Amess, Tory MP for Southend West, has also demanded swift action on the jabs for older people and NHS frontline workers.

It comes as all of Essex’s Labour council leaders have written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, in a bid to tackle rising Covid cases in the county.

Sir David said: “I am pleased to say that the vaccination of most of the vulnerable people in Southend is well under way, but will the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, my honourable friend Jo Churchill, assure me that Southend will be receiving enough vaccines to complete the inoculation of people who are most at risk as soon as possible?

“Will she also update us on the progress with authorising recently retired nurses and doctors to administer vaccinations?

“The partnership approach between the police, Southend Council and public health is working extremely well, and has minimised the spread of the virus.

“However, without clear rules about what people can and cannot do, the police are having to use their own judgment on grey areas, which leads to a breakdown in community confidence.

“It is also essential that the service on the c2c line is frequent enough that key workers are able to socially distance.

“I urge the Government to announce support for directors of limited companies who have been left with no income for almost a year.

“With the return to remote learning for most school pupils, it is vital that the most vulnerable students are supported.”

The Tory MP also said all efforts must be made to also ensure that university students are not forgotten.

He also raised concerns about circulating images of food parcels provided for eligible families.

The Labour council leader letter also urges large, manufacturing businesses in Essex to report the number of staff tested each week and the number of positive cases as a result.