Leader of Adur District Council reacts to lockdown roadmap announcement: “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out a step-by-step plan for lifting lockdown restrictions yesterday – read more here.

Councillor Neil Parkin said: “Let’s hope it all happens. It’s all very dependent on people not being silly and the numbers continuing to drop.

“But it’s looking promising.

“It should mean it’s a pretty good August.”

He said it the timescale revealed yesterday would be useful for businesses.

“They can plan ahead – rather than a week’s notice or two week’s notice,” he said.

And while he described the reopening plan as ‘cautious’, he said this was better than moving too quickly.

Mr Parkin said he was looking forward to going out to a local restaurant and going abroad to France when it was possible.

He also revealed that he contracted the virus last month.

“I lost about eight days – I can’t remember a thing – and I lost a stone in weight,” he said.

“It’s not to be recommended.”

Even now, weeks later, he said: “I’m still nowhere near as strong as I usually am. I tire out very quickly.”

The roadmap announcement comes as the vaccination programme continues across the country, with people aged 65 to 70 now being called for their jabs.

Mr Parkin, who got his jab last week, said: “It’s obviously great news that the vaccine is being rolled out. That’s absolutely phenomenal.”

But he warned people to continue to follow the lockdown rules for now.

“Let’s not be silly – let’s not blow it,” he said. “For goodness sake follow the rules, keep wearing a mask, keep social distancing.

“We’re nearly there. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”