Staffordshire County Council is urging residents to keep following the roadmap rules, take up the jab if offered and to get a test over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend.

Covid case rates are currently low in Staffordshire, and the Council is keen to remind residents that they still need to follow the rules, get vaccinated and to keep on getting tested regularly.

The Indian coronavirus variant has already been identified within the county and further testing is taking place – underlining the Council's call for a cautious approach this weekend.

Indoor gatherings should still be limited to six people or two households and people are advised to minimise the number of journeys made and to avoid identified Indian variant hotspot areas if possible.

Staffordshire's vaccine centres and community testing sites for people without symptoms will still be operating over the Bank Holiday period. On the Monday, Hednesford Hills Raceway near Cannock will host a pop-up testing site for the first time along with Wellington Drive Car Boot in Cannock and Trentham Gardens.

Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care, Dr. Johnny McMahon, said: "We have come a long way and we are all looking forward to enjoying more freedoms over the Bank Holiday – this is something we have all worked very hard for.

"There has been lots of national attention regarding the emergence of the Indian variant and we are monitoring the situation very carefully here in Staffordshire.

"So, I think most people do realise there are still real risks for us to navigate and that we are not out of the woods quite yet.

"There are still important rules in place, and it is down to us all to enjoy the Bank Holiday but remain vigilant and take a safe and cautious approach.

"This includes getting a Covid test – we must not get complacent on this and to take up the vaccine if your slot becomes available."