People of Preston are being urged to proceed with caution as we get ready to live without Covid restrictions, by leading figures from the Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF).
Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed the ‘living with Covid’ strategy on Monday which will see an end to all legal restrictions.
The public will no longer have to self-isolate if they receive a positive Covid test from Thursday, 24th February, although guidance will remain encouraging people to do so, and self-isolation payments will also end.
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From Friday 1st April, the government will end free asymptomatic and symptomatic testing. Free lateral flow tests for symptomatic older people and the most vulnerable groups will still be provided.
Addressing Parliament on Monday afternoon, the Prime Minister said that because of the efforts of the country over the past two years, we can now move from government restrictions to “personal responsibility, so we protect ourselves without losing our liberties”.
The LRF, which is made up of various representatives from local public services, including Lancashire County Council, emergency services and the NHS, has now responded to the plans.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health for Lancashire County Council, said: “While life may be returning to some form of normality, we cannot forget everything we have learned over the past two years.
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“The people of Lancashire have made so many sacrifices for the greater good and for that I am so grateful. While legal restrictions are ending, we will still need to follow simple steps if we are to live safely with Covid-19.
“That means doing the right thing and isolating if you have Covid-like symptoms, just as you would with any other highly infectious disease. Please also be kind and respect people’s personal choice to wear, or not wear, a face mask.
“I would also strongly encourage those who have not yet had their first, second or booster vaccination to come forward. It is never too late to get the best protection we currently have against Covid-19.”
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