PUBLIC health directors have joined together to ask the public to continue wearing masks and socially distance when possible.

Alistair Hill, public health director for Brighton and Hove has written a joint statement with the directors for West Sussex and East Sussex, Alison Challenger and Darrell Gale, to ask people to continue to wear masks in situations of close contact.

The statement warned that rising Covid rates will make life extremely difficult for health and care workers and while the lifting of the restrictions is a step towards normality, the public should still act responsibly.

Most recent figures indicate that across the three local authorities a total of 1,040 new confirmed cases were recorded on Monday, July 19.

The directors said: "We also recognise that good public health is inextricably linked to our economy, our schools and our social lives. They cannot succeed if we allow the virus to run unchecked through the population."

The Argus:

Monday was the official ending of all restrictions across England, meaning that wearing face masks inside and social distancing are no longer mandatory.

However, many shops, businesses and buildings have opted to continue these rules to prevent further spreading of the virus.

All other legal limits such as on the number of people meeting indoors or outdoors have now been scrapped, and all businesses have reopened including nightclubs.

The directors' recommendation is to continue to wear face coverings in situations where people are in close contact, continue to wash hands frequently, socially distance when possible and keep letting fresh air into homes and work places.

They also said that "getting tested twice a week should be part of our routine" as well as good hygiene, and they reiterated that getting both doses of the vaccine is the best defence against Covid.

"Restrictions are being lifted but the pandemic is not over yet. Together, we must all play our part and help keep Sussex safe," said the directors.