Commons Sense

This week the Prime Minister announced the next phase in our exit from lockdown, and it is certainly welcomed.

The people of Beaconsfield have shown an impressive degree of commitment to the spirit of lockdown and I am so pleased that your hard work has paid off.

From next month the hospitality industry will at last come out of its hibernation, in addition to certain leisure activities.

To many, this easing of the lockdown may look like too much too soon.

It is true that the virus has not disappeared. However, the hard work of our key workers and the general public means that we are now in a much stronger position.

Last week the chief medical officers lowered the coronavirus threat level from level four to level three.

At level four, transmission of coronavirus is “high or rising exponentially”.

Level three now means that the virus is in “general circulation”.

This indicates that the risk of another outbreak is falling but has not gone away.

Under these new circumstances it is wholly correct that we take advantage of the lowered threat level to ease restrictions.

This does not only apply to businesses but also to our social connections.

For example, the lowered threat level now allows us to pause the shielding advice, allowing extremely vulnerable people the chance to reunite with loved ones and go outside once again.

What this shows is that we are not prioritising the economy over public health, as some would claim.

Instead we are simply making the most of our new safer conditions.

I want to stress that it is the duty of the Government to allow and enable society to function in as normal way as possible.

As a result, lockdown restrictions must not be in place when they are no longer needed.

As we enjoy these freedoms, I must reiterate that we still retain an element of personal responsibility for our actions and the safety of ourselves and others.

So, please, enjoy the sunshine, the shops, the pubs and your reunions – but please stay alert.