Let’s rejoice at families and friends reunited... but keep a safe distance

TEARS will come to the eyes of many people on Monday when they meet friends and family in their gardens for the first time since the lockdown began. Families have displayed extraordinary discipline as part of the national effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic, and the return of a precious liberty is thanks to your sacrifices.

Social-distancing has separated close friends and relatives but it has delivered results. People in England will still need to keep two metres apart from anyone outside their household but it will be a delight to look loved ones in the eye instead of communicating via a computer screen.

Normality has not returned.We are still in a time of grave danger.

The rate of transmission is hovering between 0.7 and 0.9 and it is feared in some parts of the country it may be close to 1.0.There is the frightening possibility of a second spike, and there are an estimated 54,000 new infections a week.

Britain has made profound and hard-won progress but more people will die. This means even greater vigilance will be required as lockdown measures are relaxed to ensure we do not pick up the virus or pass it on to others.

Yes, barbecues will be allowed but we must be scrupulous about washing hands and avoid seeing people from too many households in quick succession.

The next stage of our war on this virus will hinge on the success of test-and-trace schemes launched to isolate new outbreaks. We are fully aware of the horrors a new wave of infections would unleash.

There were once hopes that the death toll could be kept below 20,000 but the latest figures show 37,837 people have died from Covid-19. This harrowing chapter in Britain’s story has exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains but also the strength of our national character.

Amid the hurt and the daunting economic challenges, the country is bravely preparing to reclaim freedoms.

On Monday, outdoor markets and car showrooms will reopen and dentists on June 8. On June 15, “non-essential” retailers will welcome shoppers. Two days later, the Premier League is due to roar back into life with Manchester City v Arsenal and Aston Villa v Sheffield United.

Children will start returning to nurseries and schools from next week. With courage and care, Britain is fighting back.

We owe it to the heroes who have saved lives on the frontline to ensure that their work was not in vain and this virus is denied the chance to bring the nation to a halt once again.