Staffordshire County Council has urged residents to follow the latest Covid-19 restrictions - which includes working from home if possible - just 12 days after calling for workers to return to offices.

The authority called on residents and businesses in Staffordshire to "lead the way" in following the new Covid-19 rules announced yesterday (Tuesday).

It notes that the measures include asking those people that can work from home to do so.

However, Biddulph Nub News reported previously how the council had called for workers to return to offices and workplaces earlier this month.

The authority previously said that "offices present a very low safety risk" when it came to Covid-19.

The U-turn echoes the Government's stance of asking people to work from home shortly after encouraging them to return to the office.

Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a plea for people across the country to begin returning to work.

But in yesterday's statement, this plea was completely reversed.

Alan White, Staffordshire County Council's Leader, said the county's residents must now do everything they can to keep Staffordshire free from further lockdown measures.

He said: "We have seen Covid-19 tighten its grip on towns and cities, including some of our neighbours. Both as a county council and as a county as a whole, we need to do everything in our powers to stop the spread of infection here in Staffordshire.

"We pulled together in March to help protect the most vulnerable and now is the time for everyone to show that Staffordshire will do whatever it takes to protect lives and livelihoods."

As well as working from home, other new restrictions include:

• From Thursday all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate a table service only. All must close at 10pm

• Face coverings: Extended to retail staff and must be worn in taxis and private hire cars

• Covid-19 restrictions will be law. Fines start at £200

• From Monday, 15 people maximum allowed at weddings/receptions – still 30 people allowed at funerals

• Team sports now limited to a maximum of six indoors

• Plans for large sporting events and conferences to reopen paused

Cllr White continued: "The Prime Minister has made it clear that restrictions may last six months, and more maybe added if people don't follow the new guidance and the basics of hand-washing, social distancing, wearing face coverings and following the "rule of six."

"In Staffordshire, we have avoided a county-wide lockdown to date, but let's be clear that nowhere and nobody is immune from the rising threat of Covid-19.

"While we understand that these restrictions may be difficult for some, we only have to look to Spain or think back to March to realise the potential consequences if we don't seize this opportunity to turn the tide while we still can."