COUNCIL chiefs are urging people in Cheshire East to be careful after nearly all the country's Covid restrictions were removed today (Monday).

The government's move to step 4 on the road out of lockdown on July 19 is a significant one.

But cases of the highly-transmissible Delta variant are continuing to rise right across Cheshire East and the borough remains in an Enhanced Response Area (ERA) designation.

There were 305 cases per 100,000 in the latest week of figures from July 4 to July 10.

Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran, said: "Now is definitely not the right time to become complacent and to let our guard down.

"Staff, volunteers, key workers and businesses across the borough have all worked tirelessly to help get us to this stage. But we owe it to ourselves and to others to be responsible and keep following the guidance.

Cheshire East Director of Public Health Dr Matt Tyrer believes rates of infection, and the number of hospitalisations, will get "worse before they get better".

"Along with public health colleagues and partners, I fear the current situation with Covid cases rising and an increase in related hospitalisations. Therefore, getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to keep yourself and others closest to you safe," stressed Dr Tyrer, who says those unvaccinated or without a second jab should head for the clinics and pop-up points.

And he added: "We are still advising to continue wearing a mask to protect others especially in crowded spaces or on public transport, and if you feel you should wear one in other settings or are in a situation where you think you should, then do wear it".

And Craig Browne, deputy leader of the council, said: "The removal of formal restrictions is a welcome relief, but we should continue to exercise caution, remain vigilant and act responsibly to minimise the spread of Covid.

"This is especially important for our 40,000 businesses in the borough which have a duty of care to protect their staff and customers. This is likely to involve them taking appropriate steps to mitigate the risk of further infections.

"We should be under no illusion that the coronavirus has gone away, but we do have to learn to live with it."

For the latest information and advice on the move to Step 4, testing, vaccinations and self-isolation support, go to the council's Covid-19 webpage.