Stay on your guard to keep Covid at bay

It’s nearly time… By the time you read this, it will be less than 48 hours before we all take another big step along the roadmap to recovery.

Hospitality venues, including pubs and restaurants, will once again be allowed to welcome customers indoors.

For many families, it will be the long-awaited opportunity to give a loved one a hug. The sense of excitement is palpable.

But with the anticipation comes an important plea from the North East’s health chiefs. Be careful.

Our local councils have issued a joint statement pleading with people not to undo all of the good work that has allowed an easing of restrictions to happen after months of life in lockdown. The message is clear. Covid is still a threat. And our communities are still at risk. Now is not a time for complacency. We all have a duty to still adhere to the advice given to us even as measures are relaxed.

Wearing face coverings in shops, on public transport, or when moving around indoor hospitality settings, will still protect customers and staff.

And opening windows when welcoming friends indoors and maintaining social distance also lessens the risk. If we all play our part and stick to the rules then we can all look forward to a further loosening of restrictions on June 21. What a summer tonic that would be for us all.

That’s something to remember on Monday. We’ve come so far, we can all do this together. Let’s not take things for granted and find ourselves taking a backward step. Let’s stay on our guard.