Maldon and District CVS (MDCVS) has today announced that it is adopting a distance aware approach in all of its activities ahead of lockdown restrictions lifting on 19 July.

MDCVS, which supports community and voluntary groups in the district, is backing the national campaign to be distance aware - an NHS initiative that enables individuals and organisations to encourage ongoing distancing, mask-wearing and the respect of individual social space.

MDCVS was one of the driving forces behind the Maldon District Coronvirus response team. Director Sarah Troop said: "As a charity who has been working hard to keep people safe throughout the pandemic, we are keen to carry on doing so."

She continued: "We want people to know that if they are anxious or worried, we are still mindful of the importance of distancing and masks and will be doing what we can to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus within our activities."

Although many people and businesses are welcoming the lifting of restrictions on 19 July, others are experiencing increased anxiety while the virus remains present and the shielding period comes to an end.

In the Maldon District Community Forum on 14 July, Troop said: "There is an element of that hesitancy amongst our volunteers."

She added: "We are seeing increased infection rates."

In the seven days up to Saturday, 10 July, Maldon district recorded a case rate of 266 per 100,000.

In a statement, the charity said: "The distance aware scheme is open to everyone, not just those who feel vulnerable or who may have been shielding, reflecting the fact that the need for ongoing social distancing is everyone's responsibility going forward."

Full details can be found online using the link here.