NORTHWICH residents are being urged to keep sticking to Covid-19 rules ahead of the first weekend since plans to ease lockdown were announced.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a 'roadmap' out of the coronavirus lockdown on Monday.

But the first step does not take place until March 8 – when all children return to classrooms – while restrictions would only be fully lifted by June 21 at the earliest.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, is reminding the community to stay at home and help to push infection rates as low as possible.

"The pandemic and lockdown have been a real challenge for all of us," she said.

"To make sure that the easing of restrictions is for the long-term, we will need to be cautious, carry on following the restrictions, stay at home wherever possible and do what we can to get the infection rates as low as we can to emerge out of lockdown."

In the latest figures available, Cheshire West has an infection rate of 119.2 per 100,000 people, the lowest it has been since December 9 last year.

Mr Johnson's roadmap includes plans to ease restrictions in stages on April 12, May 17 and June 21 – but these dates will be revised if infections remain too high.

Cllr Gittins added: "It’s as important as ever to remember to keep washing your hands regularly, cover your face when in an enclosed space and keeping social distancing to stop the spread of Covid-19.

"We’ll support the incredible rollout of the vaccination programme in the borough, and work with our schools and businesses to support them to reopen."

All children will return to school on March 8, before outdoor sport and leisure facilities can reopen on March 29, when the rule of six will also come back into effect outdoors.

Non-essential shops, salons and outdoor bars will reopen on April 12 at the earliest, followed by two households mixing indoors from May 17 and all social restrictions ending on June 21 – if the data suggests this is achievable.