Today some lockdown restrictions in England no longer exist because we have reached 'Step 1B' of the Government's 'Roadmap to Freedom'.

The changes include:

- The return of the Rule of 6, or two households, for outdoor gatherings in public spaces and private gardens. (People from different households/support bubbles should continue to keep a safe distance).

- The 'stay at home' rule will end, but people should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes.

- Holidays will still not be allowed.

- Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and football courts, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

Outdoor Council-run leisure facilities reopening today include:

- Wirral Sailing Centre and West Kirby Marine Lake (for those with their own equipment and licence)

- All four municipal golf courses (Hoylake, The Warren, Brackenwood and Arrowe Park)

- Football facilities at Leasowe, Guinea Gap, The Oval and Wirral Tennis Centre

- Tennis facilities at The Oval, Wirral Tennis Centre and within the borough's parks

- Athletics facilities at The Oval and Wirral Tennis Centre

This stage of the Roadmap is the last of the confirmed dates.

The government has advised that we'll only move to the next leg of the journey subject to its assessment that it is safe to do so.

A key component of this assessment will be whether or not cases are surging or putting undue pressure on the NHS. While Wirral cases are relatively low at the moment, we know from the January wave that the numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19 can change - rapidly.

Therefore, we're advised it should be business as usual:

- Wash our hands

- Keep a safe distance from those outside our household/support bubble

The next stage of restrictions being lifted in April depends on everybody continuing to do the right things now.