'Be kind to others': North Yorkshire leader's Covid message ahead of reopening

In an email to people in the county Richard Flinton North Yorkshire County Council’s chief executive, said that some may be anxious about being in large groups once again.

From Monday, inside dining will once again be allowed with pubs also able to welcome customers indoors.

Groups of up to 30 will be permitted to meet outdoors.

Mr Flinton said that while coronavirus rates remained low it was still important to follow guidance to reduce the transmission of the virus.

He wrote: “We can draw confidence from knowing that the average infection rate in North Yorkshire is currently 20 per 100,000, which is below the England average.

“We can take confidence from the high uptake for the vaccine and the increasing evidence of its effectiveness; from the high level of testing capacity available in the county; from the sterling work of health and social care services.

“But we should temper this confidence with care.

“We have all worked so hard to reach this point and to put our county in a good position. That makes it all the more important that we continue to stick to the rules – especially the basics of hands, face, space and fresh air – so that we can unlock the next step on the road map and along with it a summer much more like the one we would hope to enjoy.

“We should also exercise care and kindness towards others. While many of us are eager to embrace the opportunities offered from next Monday, we should be aware that some people – perhaps quite a few of us – will feel a little anxious at the prospect of society opening up again.

“All of us, through our actions, can help to give people who feel that way the reassurance and confidence that will help them to re-enter everyday life fully.”

Scarborough’s coronavirus rate has dropped to 10 per 100,000 as of today, down one on yesterday.

It means the borough is currently averaging 11 new cases a week.