Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of Liverpool and Leaders of the City Region’s Local Authorities have appealed to the people of Liverpool City Region to enjoy the new freedoms available from Monday with care and respect for each other.

From Monday 17th, the next easing of national Covid restrictions will see a range of new freedoms including many hospitality and leisure venues opening for indoor service and indoor visits to family and friends being permitted for the first time in months.

Speaking on behalf of the Leaders and Mayor of the six Local Authorities of the Liverpool City Region, Mayor Rotheram said:

“We’re all looking forward to enjoying the return of these freedoms we have missed so much over the last few months, to seeing more of friends and family and getting out and supporting more of our region’s businesses.

“But it’s vital that we do this with care and respect for each other and remember that we still need to be cautious and do the right things to keep the virus under control and prevent another spike in infections.

“We have all been through an incredibly difficult period and we do not want to go back on the progress we have made together.

“The virus has not gone away and there is increasing concern about the presence of the new b.1.617 variant, first identified in India, across the country and in our region.

“So today we are appealing to everyone to not be complacent. Please keep following the rules on social distancing, wear a face-covering where required, wash your hands regularly and take care when visiting friends and family indoors, especially to protect people who are more vulnerable.

“It’s also vital the everybody gets a Covid vaccine when invited – and gets both jabs be sure of the maximum protection for themselves and others.

“Our region is famous for its warmth, generosity and strong sense of community. Let’s keep using that, stick together and make sure we keep beating Covid so we can enjoy a summer of freedoms with no more unnecessary deaths due to this terrible pandemic.”