The Lancashire Resilience Forum has asked residents ‘to be sensible’ following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

As legal restrictions lift across the country, the forum said Lancashire residents need to look out for each other and take sensible steps to keep Lancashire safe.

With Covid-19 cases still rising across the county, senior figures have urged the public to take personal responsibility.

As the UK enters Step 4 of the government’s roadmap, all legal limits on social contact have been lifted, and the legal requirements on wearing masks in most places have been removed, except on some forms of public transport in parts of the country.

Read more: Preston City Council ramp up Covid testing as people urged to take ‘personal responsibility’ on July 19

New guidance published on Wednesday said the UK Government ‘expects and recommends’ masks to be worn by workers and customers in crowded, enclosed spaces, such as public transport.

Denise Park, chair of the Lancashire Resilience Forum’s Recovery Coordination Group, said: “No doubt today’s legal changes will stir feelings of excitement, relief and anxiety for many Lancastrians.

“We know that coronavirus is something we will all have to live with, and with legal restrictions lifting, it is now up to every one of us to use our personal judgement.

Denise said the public should consider exercising caution in certain situations to mitigate and limit the spread of the virus.

Read more: Which Preston, South Ribble and Chorley vaccination centres are offering which jabs this weekend 

Denise said: “For example, wearing a mask when using public transport or when in a crowded indoor space is still the right thing to do even if you are not legally required to do so.

“There are no longer any limits on social contact, which will bring joy to many families and friends, but you may feel more comfortable meeting outside if cases are high in your area.

“After everything we have been through these past 18 months, it feels good to be able to make these decisions – the kind we perhaps took for granted – by ourselves. Making a personal judgement also means taking personal responsibility to look out for each other by taking simple steps that we may not have to take but can choose to take.

“After all Lancashire has been through, it feels good to get to this point, but we must remember that Covid-19 has not gone away – even if we do have the upper hand.”

Read more: Royal Preston Hospital Covid patient urges people to get vaccinated as soon as they can 

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health for Lancashire County Council, said infections will continue to rise with the further easing of restrictions.

Dr Karunanithi said: “It is important that people use their personal judgement and take sensible steps to protect themselves and others if they think it is necessary.

“It is also important that we maintain the momentum with our excellent vaccination programme. More than 85% of the adult population has been vaccinated in Lancashire, an incredible achievement. If you have not had your jabs yet or want to know where you can get one, please visit Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria’s website.

“Getting both of your jabs will significantly reduce your chances of getting seriously ill, but it will not necessarily stop you from catching Covid-19. This is why regular testing using lateral flow devices – which are still free until at least the end of August – remains a crucial tool in controlling the spread of the virus.

“It is also so important that we continue to look out for and support those who need it, as we have done throughout this immensely difficult period.”

For more information on vaccines, visit – https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/

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