Sligo rallied during Covid-19 - but now is the time to double down on our efforts to suppress the coronavirus

OF COURSE, the easing of restrictions is welcome by one and all, it is important that we as consumers remain vigilant and do everything we can to ensure that there is no second spike of Covid-19.

We are now able to head out and shop locally and we are able to book a table in local restaurants, but we should also bear in mind that an easing of restrictions does not mean a full return to normality - it means we are into the next phase of the ‘new normal’.

The ‘new normal’ necessitates a change in the way we go about our business as consumers. They are subtle, but important, and crucial to protecting the hard-won gains the country has earned over the past couple of months.

We should make sure we keep hand hygiene to the forefront of our mind at all times; we should maintain our social and physical distance from other consumers and shop staff if out and about, and we should wear a face covering or mask if possible.

These changes may feel a little bit surreal, but like anything, they will become more comfortable as time moves on. They also become more important as time moves on, to make sure that our local and national economy is not forced into another shutdown due to an increase in Covid-19 cases.

So, as we move through the phases lets remember to keep our discipline and continue to observe the guidelines, while also doing our very best to make sure that our money stays local in an effort to support local business, and therefore local jobs.