Shrewsbury mayor issues call to stick to lockdown rules
Shrewsbury's mayor has issued a rallying call to residents to keep following social distancing rules as the country enters a sixth week of lockdown.
Councillor Phil Gillam told of his pride at some of the way people have been supporting each other and sticking to rules, but insisted now is not the time to let up.
He said: "I’m probably not the only person in Shrewsbury that watches the news looking for a glimpse of optimism that we are reaching the peak. And it would appear light is starting to dawn at the end of that tunnel.
"But this is not the time to take our foot off the gas. We have weathered this storm for five weeks and we must continue, and I urge everyone to continue to follow the national rules.
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"I know town council staff have been looking at how we can safely encourage people back to some sense of normality when the time comes and I for one can assure you that as the First Citizen of Shrewsbury I will be banging that drum, shouting about how fantastic our town is.
"But for now, stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."
Councillor Gillam thanked NHS workers, key workers, teachers, care and council staff, and added: "There are things that have heartened me gladly. Across the town I have seen people offering to volunteer and help support some of the most vulnerable getting shopping, collecting prescriptions, walking the dog or just even being on the end of the phone.
"As I do my daily exercise, the lovely rainbows I see in people’s windows always make me smile, and then of course, on a Thursday evening there is that great the sense of camaraderie as I go outside to join the neighbours and clap for the NHS – something that brings out huge emotions."
