CORNWALL'S health chief has warned that people cannot afford to be complacent with the relaxing of lockdown rules on Monday.

The rules about what we can do are changing as the government confirms the next step in the roadmap can take place from Monday (April 12). As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, we’re being reminded to keep sticking to the rules.

Rachel Wigglesworth director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said “The easing of the roadmap is welcome and many of us will be excited to meet friends, get our hair done and have some feeling of freedom.

“But we’re still cautious and we still can’t be complacent. The second we relax and take our eye off the ball, Covid can sneak back in. So please, stick to the rules to keep Cornwall’s cases low. We don’t want to find ourselves in a situation where we have to take a backwards step now.

“Let’s keep going, keep following the rules and we can all get back to doing the rest of the things we love to do. Remember to keep up with hands, face, space and get the vaccine when you’re offered it."

This step in the roadmap sees the biggest lifting of restrictions so far, aimed at getting the country a step closer to normality.

"While our freedoms increase it’s vital that we continue to keep up with the things that keep us all safe," said Mr Wigglesworth. "We must continue to wear a face covering in enclosed public places like shops (unless you are medically exempt), wash your hands often for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser, and keep two metres apart from anyone you don’t live with even when you are socialising.

"Take up the vaccine when offered and please get a test and self-isolate if you have symptoms. Keeping ourselves safe from the virus means we need to do all these things together, if we skip doing even one thing we put ourselves and others at more risk."

In brief the rules now allow:

• Rule of six or two households meeting outdoors only (unless you are in a support bubble which can meet indoors)

• Reopening of non-essential retail

• Reopening of personal care premises

• Indoor gyms sessions for individuals or households (but not mixed groups)

• Reopening outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks or drive in cinemas

• Hospitality venues can provide food and drink outdoors

• You can stay away from home overnight in self-contained accommodation with your household.

The council says Cornwall’s high streets and neighbourhood shopping areas have been doing lots of work to get ready for fully reopening safely.

It has been working with local councils and high street businesses to put lots of Covid-safety measures in place. This is being supported from the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and includes prominent signage with social distancing and face covering reminders, one-way traffic flow and designated pedestrian-only areas, and encouraging the use of hand sanitiser stations.

There will be street performers who will be out and about again in the town centres reminding people that they still need to follow the public health guidance. The pandemic is still very much with us and we all have an important role to play in helping keep our high streets open so they can continue to do business once more without fear of further restrictions being imposed again.