Wigan health bosses urge "Extreme caution" ahead of lockdown easing
It's as case rates across the borough remain high
Wigan's public health director has urged "Extreme caution" ahead of coronavirus restrictions easing next week.
It's as infection rates across the borough remain high and nationwide continue to climb.
549 people per every 100,000 in Wigan are currently testing positive for the virus, the highest figure since last November.
Meanwhile, the UK as a whole recorded 48,553 cases of the virus yesterday, also the highest figure in six months.
The UK is now on a path to remove most of its COVID restrictions next week as the government moves to step four of its 'roadmap out of lockdown'.
From Monday there will be no legal limits on social contact, businesses such as nightclubs will be able to reopen and rules around facemasks in some public places will be relaxed.
However, ahead of the change local health bosses are urging people to take things slow and steady to prevent another spike in infections.
Proffessor Kate Ardern said:
"We have clearly been watching what's going on in the Netherlands and that is why I am urging extreme caution."
"Monday is not 'Freedom Day' at all, Monday is a day when we should be cautiously keeping on doing the right things."
"Our infection rates in Greater Manchester are starting to slow down so the more we can do, the more we can perhaps hopefully peak and come over that peak."
"I'm not seeing us shooting up into the North East rates thankfully at the moment, but it could so easily happen if we don't take things calmly and sensibly."
"I'm strongly advising that we continue to wear face masks in enclosed public places such as on public transport."
"Let's be kind to each other and let's look after each other ."
"The people we need to be looking out for are the people who are not vaccinated or for whom the vaccine is not quite as effective."
"For people who are clinically extremely vulnerable what some people might turn 'Freedom Day', it's their fear day."
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