WARRINGTON Borough Council is warning residents to be ‘extra vigilant’ due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The town does not yet have any confirmed cases of the new variant of coronavirus, which has sparked the reintroduction of additional measures including the wearing of face masks in shops and on public transport.

But WBC is ‘reminding residents to stay safe due to a rise in Covid cases and the Omicron variant’ while enjoying festive attractions in the borough, including the Christmas markets in Time Square and the Luminate light trail at Walton Hall and Gardens.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Understandably, some residents may be concerned about cases of the new Covid-19 variant and what this will mean over the next few months.

“Residents must remember that this isn’t the time to be complacent, it is now the time to be doing all we can to reduce the spread of infection.

“This means wearing face coverings whenever possible, keeping your distance from others, washing your hands often, getting vaccinated, testing yourself regularly and self-isolating when required to make sure you are not passing Covid-19 on to others.”

The town’s director of public health Thara Raj added: “Although there are no confirmed cases in Warrington, we need to be extra vigilant as we start to mix with more people over the coming weeks.

“If you haven’t already, I’d encourage anyone eligible to take up the offer of both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine plus the booster when they can as it really is your best line of defence against the virus and any new variants.”