Why further easing of lockdown measures must not be interpreted as "back to normal" - Laura Collins, YEP Editor

It feels like a long time ago since the Prime Minister addressed the nation ordering each and every one of us to stay at home.

The message was clear - we all had to stay at home to ensure that the NHS wasn’t swamped and able to cope with treating those who needed it the most.

And the days and weeks that followed seem to have blurred into one haze.

During that time we’ve all missed so many celebrations as families and as a nation.

Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and major highlights in the cultural calendar ranging right from Glastonbury Festival right through to VE Day and Armed Forces Day.

Wednesday will mark 100 days since the country was plunged into lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus.

And from Saturday we will see more lockdown restrictions eased in England as the country continues to come out of hibernation.

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen providing they can adhere to Government criteria designed to keep staff and customers safe. Two households will also be able to meet up as long as they are sticking to social distancing measures.

Places of worship and some cultural and leisure facilities will be able to reopen if they can do.

But for others - such as gyms, nail salons and spas - they are still left in the dark about when they can reopen.

Plans were last week announced to look at relaxing measures around shielding but with the raft of information thrown at the public in the last week it’s easy to see why there is confusion.

The guidance feels like there are certainly a few grey areas - how come I can go to the pub but I’m not allowed to visit the gym? Why are those who are shielding only allowed to meet outdoors in a support bubble next week but by the start of August the shielding guidance ends?

The easing of measures is in danger of being interpreted as back to normal - it’s far from it. Sir Mark Walport, the former government chief scientific adviser, said the UK needs to maintain “constant vigilance” as it eases out of lockdown. And he’s right now certainly isn’t the time to lose our heads.

The last thing we want is for a crippling second wave of the pandemic to strike unpicking all the hard work of the last 100 days and exposing our health service to hardship.

This Sunday marks the anniversary of the founding of the NHS in 1948.

People are being asked to remember those lost during the pandemic by placing a light in their window followed by a moment of thanks.

The following day will see one country-wide clap for the NHS, care staff and all key workers. It’s part of the national effort to say a big thank you to everyone who has played their part in the national effort.

And we want to hear from you as part of the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Big Thank You to reflect on the city’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19.

Email us at [email protected] to share your messages of those who have made a difference. But we should be proud of our city’s response to this dark time.

We are Leeds.