With the majority of Covid-19 restrictions having been lifted, people and businesses across the High Peak are being urged to minimise their risks of infection.

Stage four of the government's roadmap to unlocking has gone ahead, with the emphasis moving to personal responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe.

A total of 6,861 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in the High Peak when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on Monday (19 July), up from 6,657 on Friday.

The rate of infection in the borough now stands at 7,404 cases per 100,000 people, which is lower than the England average of 8,474.

With that in mind, the borough council's leader is urging caution and encouraging residents to enjoy the return to a new normal safely whilst thinking about others. 

High Peak Borough Council leader Councillor Anthony Mckeown 

Councillor Anthony Mckeown said: "The lifting of restrictions is something many of us have been waiting for and will welcome as we learn to live with Covid.

"However, we’ve all seen the sharp rise in the number of people infected as a result of the more transmissible Delta variant – and the numbers continue to increase in High Peak. So, even as restrictions ease, I must urge caution.

"Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve all done our best together with the vaccination programme to curb transmission. This has now brought us to this point where the government has removed some of the current restrictions." 

Cllr Mckeown added: "Our local businesses and organisations are responding to the changes in their own way, and for some places, some measures will remain in place. I’d urge local residents to continue to show their care and concern for others that will help us manage how we maintain our freedoms whilst managing the risks.

"So, please enjoy the return to our new normal, but with safety and the welfare of our families, friends and everyone in our communities in mind. Let’s all keep doing what we can to help curb transmission – it benefits us all." 

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