From 8 March, people in England will see restrictions start to lift and the government’s four-step roadmap offer a route back to a more normal life.

The success of the vaccination programme is one factor - so far over 17 million people have had their jabs - but by no means the whole story. The public have also risen to the challenge of suppressing COVID-19: by obeying the law; staying at home; getting tested when needed; isolating when required, and following the ‘hands, face, space’ and ‘letting fresh air in’ guidance.

Taken together, this means that even though absolute case numbers remain relatively high, we will be able to begin relaxing the current strict lockdown. While we must all remain vigilant - in particular against the threat from new COVID-19 variants - and continue to protect the NHS, a safe exit from lockdown can begin. It will take place in four steps; and at each step, we plan to lift restrictions across the whole of England at the same time.

In implementing this plan we will be guided by data, not dates, so that we do not risk a surge in infections that would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS. For that reason, all the dates in the roadmap are indicative and subject to change. There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step: four weeks for the scientific data to reflect the changes in restrictions and to be analysed; followed by one week’s advance notice of the restrictions that will be eased.

Only when the government is sure that it is safe to move from one step to the next will the final decision be made. The decision will be based on four tests:

• the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
• evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
• infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
• our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern

To view the full release click here

Essential workers who cannot work from home now have more ways to access regular COVID-19 Rapid Result Lateral Flow testing with eleven testing sites now open in Cumbria.

 Last week five testing sites opened in Carlisle, Aspatria, Kendal, Penrith, and Millom.

 This week, six additional sites have been been opened in Barrow in Furness, Dalton, Milnthorpe, Sedburgh, Workington and Whitehaven.

 Lateral Flow tests give a result in 30 minutes and help identify asymptomatic carriers, people who do have COVID-19 and are infectious but are not ill. These people can then self-isolate to protect others.

 The testing sites are open to any essential workers who cannot work from home and come into regular contact with other people through their job, and who do not have COVID-19 symptoms. The tests are free and no booking is required, but please note the sites are only open at the times stated.

 The tests are a major element of Cumbria’s strategy to battle COVID-19 and quickly becoming a routine part of many people’s working lives, with thousands having a test every week. But not all employers are able to provide the testing themselves and that’s where the County’s community testing sites come in.

 People who do have symptoms of coronavirus should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. They should not attend a Lateral Flow Community Testing Site.

 Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:

 “Mass Lateral Flow Testing of those without symptoms is a key part of the strategy for preventing the spread of Covid and getting us out of lockdown.

 “With these additional 6 sites announced this week, we now have eleven sites up and running. Opening times will be reviewed based on demand for testing and more sites are also being scoped as possibilities. People who want to access rapid testing have a range of options to choose from. It’s quick and simple and gives people the reassurance that they are not unwittingly infecting other people as they go about their work.

 “I’d strongly encourage those essential workers who are unable to work from home, cannot be tested in the workplace and are in regular contact with other people to make use of the new community testing sites.”

To see a full list of sites click here.