Caution urged as Covid-19 restrictions lift

A return to normality must come with great caution, says Leicestershire County Council's director of public health, as a new drive is launched which urges residents to help stem rates.

Fresh artwork featuring the 'it's down to us' slogan is appearing on social media and across the authority's buildings reminding people to think about continuing to do the basics – such as 'popping on a mask when shopping' and 'to socially distance as much as you can'.

Infection rates across some parts of Leicestershire continuing to show a steep rise.

With freedom comes responsibility. We do need to learn to live with Covid so, while I want people to enjoy the freedom, I'd urge them not to throw caution to the wind.

The vaccine programme is doing a great job in keeping down hospital admissions compared to the last wave, but they are rising, and pressure will mount as more people are affected by the virus.

I'd urge people to get their first and second dose of the vaccine as soon as they can as it could prove to be a life saver.

It's now around everyone pulling together to put a lid on the virus and that will happen by sticking to the basics

Person:Mike Sandys, county council director of public health

Latest infection rates show rises across Leicestershire and the East Midlands, in north-west Leicestershire and Melton Mowbray rates are past the 500 per 100,000 rate.

Mike Sandys added: "At this stage, we're not looking at any particular links to the rising infection rates, they're going up all over the county so clearly that is a concern.

"It's further evidence that we're not in such a place where we can mix freely and there's still a need to exercise caution."

(Source: Leicestershire County Council)