Devon's Director of Public Health is warning people to take a 'cautious approach' to the easing of lockdown as 'coronavirus is not beaten yet'.

On Monday, England moved into step 3 of the roadmap, which relaxed restrictions and allowed more businesses to reopen their doors to the public.

Up to six people or two households are now legally able to meet indoors, and up to 30 people outdoors, while indoor hospitality can reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children's play areas.

Guidance on meeting family and friends has also been updated, meaning the public can make informed, personal decisions on close contact, such as hugging, with their friends and family.

Infection rates in Devon are currently at 9.8/100,000 – among the lowest of any upper tier authority in England – while the number of people in hospital are as low as they have been since early October, and the 'Indian variant' is not yet an issue in the county.

But Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health is advising caution for Devon's residents and that 'just because we can, it doesn't mean we should'.

'Vaccines don't offer guaranteed protection'

"I'm not going to tell people that they mustn't hug, but I will resist, and my advice to others is to also exercise caution," said Mr Brown.

"While coronavirus is still present in our communities, and people are still at risk of catching it and spreading it, the common-sense approach is the cautious approach.

"One in three people who have the virus don't show any symptoms of having it. Unless detected, they will unknowingly spread it to others.

"The vaccines, as effective as they are at preventing people becoming seriously ill or dying from coronavirus, do not offer guaranteed protection against the virus.

"And although not an issue right now in Devon, we are learning more about the latest strain of the virus, the Indian strain of concern, which we hear reported as being 50 per cent better at transmission between people.

"Similarly, I ask people to remain ever vigilant of risk as we take in the latest easing of restrictions.

"People can now meet indoors in groups fewer than six, or from two households; and staying the night is permitted, and we're allowed to travel a bit further, and sit indoors when eating out.

"But in all of these things, please be cautious. Just because we can, doesn't mean we must."

He added: "This pandemic has often felt like a roller coaster, and right now we are I fear at a point where a lot of the good practice – the adhering to the common-sense rules, which include social distancing, wearing of face coverings, and regular washing of our hands – could be undone if we allow ourselves to take our eye off the ball. The consequence of that is that numbers of people with coronavirus in Devon will rise again.

"Coronavirus is not beaten yet. The government is already alluding to the possibility that the next easing of restrictions in June may be delayed if the data does not support it.

"We need to play the long game if we are to beat this. And that means taking small and cautious steps as the restrictions ease."