Our post-Covid future will be decided by how we respond to virus rules, says Sheffield business leader

The consequences of the first phase phase were there sadly for us all to see – significant job losses, non Covid-19 NHS waiting lists running into millions and some organisations losing the battle to stay afloat and education blighted.

The summer brought optimism that we were winning the battle against the pandemic and lockdown measures eased.

What a relief was that particularly for those who had been self isolating for months and could stand down their valued support mechanisms provided by family, friends and volunteers etc.

With relief we started to enjoy the new found freedoms and engaging with family and friends to visit the beaches and countryside etc.

Hard-pressed frontline workers were able to recharge their batteries and hoped that a second spike in coronavirus cases would not materialise and the country would maintain good self disciplines.

In parallel, we were promised the much-vaunted test and trace system would be embedded and extended to provide further protection.

Unfortunately, during the summer we let our guard down and too many forgot or even did not accept the consequences of the first phase and we entered the autumn with a worrying rise in new cases.

This was aggravated by the test and trace system showing a concerning fragility undermining access to speedy access and results .

So with schools and universities returning and more employees returning to their place of work the government had to reverse it’s original guidance again.

Working from home is now to be encouraged rather thean discouraged with all the consequences for the city centre economy, instead of promoting eating out night curfews will have opposite effect etc .

The major change of course is the tone of strong enforcement being introduced instead of the previous prolonged period of advice and even the threat of marshals.

This leaves us with the uncertainty that these new measures will stem the tide but we have no alternative but to accept our personal responsibility for self discipline that gives us then the credibility to question the wisdom of the new measures being enforced.

Hopefully our confidence will rise with the introduction of the new Ap that those with compatible mobile phones can use.

However our future fates will be decided by us doing what we are required to do by way of preventative measures and as importantly the Government making sure that they put there own house in order by delivering on their promises.

Any back sliding by either group will bring the inevitable consequences and hopefully news will come by Christmas the much vaunted vaccines are on the horizon and all the gloom is lifted by us reaching Christmas in good shape and our joint efforts having bore fruit.