Council urges residents and businesses to remain cautious following relaxing of restrictions

Cheshire East Council is asking residents and businesses to remain cautious following the relaxing of Covid restrictions and the move to step 4 from Monday 19 July. 

Cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant are continuing to rise right across Cheshire East (305 cases per 100,000 in the latest week 4 July to 10 July) and the borough remains in the Enhanced Response Area (ERA) designation.

Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Sam Corcoran, said: “We have all waited for so long for restrictions to be eased, but now is definitely not the right time to become complacent and to let our guard down.

“Staff, volunteers, key workers and businesses across the borough have all worked tirelessly to help get us to this stage. But we owe it to ourselves and to others to be responsible and keep following the guidance.”

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “After almost 18 months living under the shadow of this pandemic, the removal of formal restrictions is a welcome relief to many residents and businesses; nevertheless, we should continue to exercise caution, remain vigilant and act responsibly to minimise the spread of Covid in our communities.

“This is especially important for our 20,000 businesses in the borough which have a duty of care to protect their staff and customers; this is likely to involve them taking appropriate steps to mitigate the risk of further infections. Where this is the case, please do as you are requested out of respect for fellow customers and members of staff.

“We should be under no illusion that the coronavirus has gone away, but we do have to learn to live with it. Like every other pandemic in history, it will probably be with us for several years to come and we should all be mindful of that.”

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: “Along with public health colleagues and partners, I fear the current situation with Covid cases rising and an increase in related hospitalisations, is only going to get worse before it gets better.

“Therefore, getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to keep yourself and others closest to you safe. if you haven’t taken up either your first or second jab yet, then please do so, as you need both doses for maximum protection. 

“We are still advising to continue wearing a mask to protect others especially in crowded spaces or on public transport, and if you feel you should wear one in other settings or are in a situation where you think you should, then do wear it”.

For the latest information and advice on the move to Step 4, testing, vaccinations and self-isolation support, go to the council’s Covid-19 webpage.