A CASTLE Point pensioner is fearing for her mental health after it was confirmed Essex will move into Tier 2 in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus.

In a statement to the House of Commons this morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Essex will shift into local Covid alert level high.

The changes will come into effect at 12.01am on Saturday and means residents in Castle Point will not be able to meet members of other households indoors, while the rule of six still applies in outdoor areas.

Linda Norton, 67, has been left devastated as the alterations mean she will be unable to see her grandchildren.

She said: “The changes will affect me big time.

“I have got six children and seven grandchildren. Because of the tier we’ll find ourselves in, I am not going to be able to see them.

“It’s ridiculous and bad for your mental health. Although I’m fine at the moment, I can feel myself going downhill if I am not able to see my children and grandchildren for a prolonged period of time again.

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“The government hasn’t thought about the old people that can’t see each other.

“I’m a pensioner and they have already taken half a year off my life because of the restrictions.”

Irene Fernon, of Greenview, Canvey, has three sons and five grandchildren.

While the new rules will not affect Southend or Thurrock, which are unitary local authorities, she supports the decision to move Essex into Tier 2.

Irene, 67, said: “I am willing to do whatever it takes to stop this virus.

“I just want people to follow the rules. If people hadn’t been flouting the rules in the first place, we wouldn’t be in this position right now.

“Some of my grandchildren live in Wales and I haven’t been able to see them for months, but we have to do as we’re told.

“It is difficult not being able to see friends and family. I already had to deal with that before some restrictions were lifted, but there are so many people going through the same.”