This week the Prime Minister announced a four-step ‘roadmap’ plan to leave the current lockdown in England. While the ‘stay at home’ rule will remain in place, the first changes will start coming in from March 8.

Coming out of lockdown will be welcome relief to many and daunting for some. However you feel about the plans, it’s important to remember that moving too fast out of restrictions and breaking the rules that remain could damage the progress we’ve made as a borough and as a nation since January’s peak.

In Wirral, the number of people testing positive for Coronavirus continues to fall week on week, thanks in no small part to the sacrifices of our residents, key workers, our health and care staff and our communities.

Every video call that replaced a meet-up, every gathering put on hold, every time someone washed their hands or wore a face covering – every small change - has helped to slow the spread of the virus.

According to the plans, restrictions will start to be relaxed in four stages. Only when the Government is sure that it is safe to move from one step to the next, will the final decision be made and announced. 

We too, as individuals, should pace ourselves as we reach each potential stage. This means, not relaxing on household mixing, gatherings and other restrictions before the time is right.

Please remember, and remind your families and your friends, that this is only the start of recovery and not the end of restrictions.

So, while this week’s announcements may be cause for celebration, please, continue embracing the protective measures that have got us this far:

  • Wash your hands
  • Wear a face covering
  • Keep your distance from those outside your household or bubble
  • And for now, please stay home

A summary of the further steps in the roadmap can be accessed here.