Steven Broomhead is chief executive of Warrington Borough Council and is looking at the easing of lockdown rules

The government’s priority and plan has rightly been to protect and save lives.

The government has had to balance this with the impact and consequences of the lockdown arrangements on our economy and disruption to daily lives.

Any government or Prime Minister would struggle with the planning of a response to the remorseless foe that COVID-19 is turning out to be. In many ways, the government can’t win. On the one hand, if it issues detailed instructions on what we should/shouldn’t do it would be criticised for being too directive/interfering.

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On the other hand, if it offers guidance that is subject to interpretation by us, it is accused of being unclear and incoherent. In the middle of this are public organisations attempting to interpret the messages and guidance.

For instance, “Essential Travel” only has implications on the re-opening of Community Recycling Centres and who will then enforce the advice to wear face masks on public transport?

Certainly the government communication could be sharper and it’s always important to have produced a plan before making announcements, not the other way round.

Our town has shown resilience, resolve and has used common sense in responding to the crisis. We have respected the lockdown and understand that its cautious release can only begin to happen if the prevailing health situation allows.

There been some exceptions such as the embarrassing Conga last weekend.

We all understand our DNA of the town, Rugby League, can only start again when it is safe to do so. We understand that Warrington businesses will respond with fair policies for those staff who cannot get to work and how to make the work place as safe as possible.

It is also recognised that we must all continue to stick together to reduce our local “R” number, particularly as it could be possible that the lock down restrictions could be released in certain parts of the country that are showing a lower risk.

Surely we don’t want to be in a different lockdown to Liverpool, Manchester or Wigan?

The big test going forward on this is for us to maintain our community spirit and all work together to face the challenges of learning to live with COVID in the months ahead. Let’s all try to reduce the impact of the bug.