A CONCERTED campaign has been launched urging people to do all they can to keep Covid-19 at at bay so the North-East can remain open.

Businesses and organisations have joined forces with health chiefs in the Keep the North East Open drive, at a time when the region is seeing a surge in the number of Covid infections from the highly transmissible Delta variant.

The campaign co-incides with the publication of new research, commissioned by the region's seven councils, revealing that 90 per cent of residents think it is important to follow the guidance to help keep local businesses open.

The research, conducted the week ending 1 June, involved a representative sample of residents from County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Speaking on behalf of the seven North East Local Authorities, chair of the Association of Directors of Public Health North East and Director of Public Health for County Durham, Amanda Healy said; “I want to thank the people of the North-East for all they have done to curb the spread of the virus in our region over many months.

“While the Prime Minister has pressed pause on the final phase of reopening, this new research shows that the majority of residents will support the move, because 75 per cent of them remain cautious about rushing back into doing things again.

"I do believe that by pausing now, ultimately we can get back to where we want to be more quickly in the longer-term, rather than rushing and risking more hospitalisations, and ultimately more deaths and lockdowns."

She added: “We want to keep our region open where it is safe and possible to do so. Waiting a few more weeks to fully unlock will allow more people who are at risk of becoming ill from Covid, to receive both doses of the vaccine - our best protection against the virus.

"In fact, at current rates nearly 10 million second doses of the vaccine could be administered over that time - giving high levels of protection against the Delta variant.

“Meanwhile, younger age groups, who have the highest rates of infection, will have the benefit of one jab if they take up the offer. As well as providing some protection to them, this will help slow the spread of the virus.

“We need to learn to live alongside Covid and there are some simple steps we can all take to support this, which will allow us to keep the region open and businesses and organisations operational.

“Get both doses of the vaccine when you are called. Follow the rules on meeting others. Work from home if you can. And isolate and get a test if you have symptoms or test positive via the Lateral Flow Test. That way the North-East can remain open and we can return to enjoying the things we love most, with the people we love most.”

David Potts-Brown, a director at Woofs and Scruffs, at The Stack, in Seaburn, Sunderland, said: “For us its really important that the region reopens and everyone is able to trade again.

“To be be able to do that it is vital that people follow the rules. Covid has affected us massively. We have five sites in the region, including in Durham and Seaham and were closed pretty much overnight for months."

Rhiannon Hiles, Chief Executive of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to welcome visitors back to Beamish after a really difficult year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have Covid-19 Secure measures in place across the museum and it’s great to hear how delighted people are to be back at Beamish.

“Beamish is a charity and we rely on visitors for 95 per cent of our income, so having to close the museum three times during the pandemic has had a major impact and we’re so grateful for everyone’s support.

“We wanted to be part of this campaign to thank local people for following the guidance and for all they are doing to curb Covid infection rates in our area.”

Other key findings of the research include:

• Just over half (54%) of the region feel that in 6 months from now, the Covid situation will be better than it is now - showing some optimism among North Easterners.

• 75% of North Easterners agree that even with restrictions relaxing over recent weeks, they don’t want to rush into doing things.

• 72% are worried that the pandemic restrictions will have a long-lasting negative effect on local jobs and the economy.

• 64% are worried that there will be further outbreaks of Covid-19 over the next few months.

• Only 1 in 5 (20%) of people in our region think that the situation will be worse in six months time.

The results have informed a major communications campaign which launches today (Thursday 24 June), backed by the seven local councils and supported by Northumbria and County Durham Local Resilience Forums (LRF) which includes councils, third sector, NHS, blue light services and public transport bodies.