The local MP, Jacob Rees Mogg writes in his weekly column:

Recently, the Prime Minister announced that further lockdown burdens would be eased as the country and economy begin to rehabilitate.

As death and transmission rates continue to fall, Boris Johnson has given the green light for indoor gymnasiums, swimming pools and leisure centres to open their doors once again on Saturday 25th July, as well as beauty and massage salons. This follows on from pubs, restaurants, outdoor pools and many shops having reopened on 4th July and is in line with guidance published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, compiled in collaboration with ukactive, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Sport England as well as other sports bodies. Each step has been taken based upon advice received from Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive.

This latest guidance is part of the Government's carefully-designed policy to reduce the constraints of lockdown in a way that ought to keep the R rate down (the average number of secondary infections produced by one infected person). All of this depends upon people following the rules, continuing to socially distance and wear masks in shops/confined public spaces and generally taking precautions to prevent the disease from continuing to spread.

As the country begins to move forward, with businesses restarting and people being encouraged to return to work, there is a feeling of optimism and prosperity in the air that has been absent for so long. The Premier has always stressed that if the statistics start to change for the worse then restored liberties will be reviewed and possibly, frozen - let us hope that this does not become a necessity and that we can continue to get back to normal as soon as possible.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any assistance: [email protected] / www.jacobreesmogg.com