Ads urge no rules let up

PEOPLE are being urged to carry on sticking to the rules – despite falling rates of coronavirus.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the successful vaccination programme gives clear hope but warned “we must all continue to play our part” to control Covid.

The advertising campaign warns that everyone must still stay at home and calls for people to follow instructions on mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing when they venture outside for legitimate reasons.

Professor Whitty said: “Infection rates are falling, but they still remain very high and the impact of Covid-19 is still putting pressure on hospitals across the country.”

Complacency

The adverts, running across TV, radio and social media, appeal for people to “keep going” in the battle against the virus. Experts fear the positive news about inoculations and fewer infections may spark complacency.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to ease lockdown raises the prospect of all restrictions being lifted by the end of June.

But it depends on disease incidence being pushed right down in the next few months.

The Government is stressing that every small act is making a big difference.

Laws forcing the public to stay at home apart from specified reasons, such as daily exercise, will end on March 29 at the earliest.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I know it’s been a long year but we can’t let up now.”