Great progress... Let’s make sure it stays that way

The easing of lockdown takes another – very significant – step forward next week. The reopening of pubs, restaurants and cafes for al fresco dining as well as non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers is a big step forward. They say football teams are most vulnerable when they’ve just scored and it certainly feels like the country is getting on top of Covid. Sadly, it’s many years since needing a haircut was a big issue for me personally but I know how desperate many friends and colleagues are to get that particular aspect under control. I’m really looking forward to eating out again, even if it is unseasonably chilly. But it is at this sort of juncture, as some of the freedoms we used to take for granted return and the vaccine rollout continues to be a big success, that we can’t let our guard down. Having worked so hard to get this far we cannot concede any ground to the virus now. So let’s enjoy eating out and a socially distanced drink, let’s support local retailers and be patient as we wait for slots at hair salons and gyms... And let’s keep up the good work and support rapid testing, social distancing and accelerate the return to normality. Monday has been christened the ‘Glorious 12th’ when the doors to many Peterborough businesses open again. But I’m also mindful of the words of one local publican who told me that his business would not survive going into a future lockdown. He would rather stay in lockdown longer if it mitigated the chance of another lockdown being needed. We can all play our part in making sure that doesn’t happen.