Police bosses urge public not to undo Covid progress as restrictions ease

Venues will be able to welcome customers indoors and families will be allowed to visit relatives and stay overnight from Monday, May 17.

Now Northumbria Assistant Chief Constable Neil Hutchison has warned against putting the progress so far at risk by flouting the remaining rules.

"The fact we have reached this point is in no small part down to the resilience you all continue to show in following the rules and guidance in place to help protect our communities from the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

“Like you, we are all looking forward to once again being able to meet family and friends in our homes and enjoy socialising in a bar or restaurant without having to brave the elements.

“We would ask that you to take steps to help ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy these latest changes and look out for the safety of yourself and others.

“Whether that means making sure you have suitable plans in place to get home from an evening out or just being increasingly mindful of those around you – we all have a part to play.”

It is was important to restrictions still remained and not disregard the rules: “We absolutely want people to be able to enjoy the new-found freedoms but please let us not jeopardise the substantial efforts which have already been made to get us to this point,” he said.

“We owe it to ourselves and each other to ensure we remain on course for the further lifting of restrictions in June.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness added: “While it’s great to see life open back up, it’s important we keep doing the things that help us stay safe – washing hands, keeping your distance, especially in light of the new variant of the virus that has reached the UK.

“Things may be improving but there are still rules in place and our police are there to police them – doing their job to help keep people safe.

“So, enjoy taking steps closer to normality, but do so with care so we don’t undo all the progress we have made.”

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