From today (Monday 19 July), all remaining legal restrictions related to COVID have been lifted across the country, following the Government’s confirmation that the final stage of the roadmap could unfold.

The remaining restrictions, including social distancing, wearing face coverings and how many people can meet indoors and outdoors can no longer be enforceable by law.

However, Dr Robyn Dewis, Director of Public Health, Derby City Council, is urging citizens to continue doing the right thing for Derby as cases rise locally and nationally:

While legally, restrictions are no longer in place, we should all still carefully consider the impact our actions can have on the safety of ourselves and others. We still have a responsibility to act considerately and remember that COVID is still very much active within our communities.

COVID cases are currently growing across the country, and while the vaccination programme has helped to reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment, a small rise in these figures is also being seen.

Dr Dewis highlighted the importance of vaccinations to help prevent further transmission:

The vaccination programme has been a fantastic success, and we are seeing a huge reduction in the number of people needing hospital treatment because of the roll-out.

However, we are currently in a position where there is still a number of people who have had only had one jab or no vaccine at all. We also know that the vaccine does not give 100% protection, particularly for those with significant health conditions.

These individuals remain vulnerable, and we must protect them and ourselves through our basic but vital actions: washing our hands regularly, wearing a mask in enclosed settings and keeping our distance from those we don’t usually come into contact with.

Most importantly, if we have not already received our vaccine, we should do so as soon as possible. This dramatically cuts our risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID and reduces our risk of catching or passing on the virus.

As well as the vaccination programme, access to testing, Derby’s local contact tracing service and self-isolation rules remain in place following today.

All citizens are urged to get a PCR test if they develop symptoms or are flagged as a contact of a positive case, and take regular lateral flow (asymptomatic) tests, particularly if they are often mixing with other households.

Dr Dewis added:

We have come so far over the past year. It has been such a difficult time and we have all felt the weight of the restrictions and the effect COVID has had on our communities.

That’s why it is so important that we continue to be careful and do not damage our progress. Get vaccinated, be safe and do the right thing for Derby.

More COVID guidance can be found on the Derby City Council website.