Time for us to look after ourselves

GOVERNMENT has decided that adults can now take a greater degree of responsibility to protect ourselves from Covid.

Many of the mandatory restrictions are being swept away and we can use our own judgment, for we are going to have to live with this dreaded virus for years to come.

Any action that any Government takes will always be subject to challenge, and Covid is no exception.

However, it is very necessary that our economy gets moving across the board, not just in certain sections.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has to put together a Budget for November, and at present he is suffering an enormous headache created by coronavirus.

Furlough schemes do not come cheap.

I am not sure that the prime minister’s announcements will give him much joy.

I will be very surprised if the majority of the general public decide that they all want to take their buckets and spades abroad to sunnier climes.

For a start, due to our escalating infection rates, many countries, even though they need the trade, will not be welcoming us.

Then again, European vaccination rates are way behind Britain. France for instance has only twice jabbed a little over

32% of their population.

Then, during Covid, we have learned that there is a different way to shop, namely online. Shopping centres have been decimated.

But I cannot envisage that this will suddenly be abandoned.

From now onwards, we will have to weigh up the risks associated with being present at gatherings, large or small. I for one do not wish to sit in an aeroplane for hours wearing a face mask.

Businesses will consider whether they should bring into their offices staff that have been working very efficiently at home for the last 21 months.

Many such staff are very happy to continue with the current arrangements.

The responsibility is now ours. I hope that the Covid threat will result in prudence.

Russell Luckock is chairman of Birmingham pressings firm

AE Harris