Essex County Council has warned that while the infection rate across the county - including in Maldon - is dropping, it is still vital that the community continues to follow pandemic guidance to take cases down further.

There is also a reminder that, wherever possible, residents who cannot work from home are advised to take regular lateral flow tests - now available at West Maldon Community Centre in Sunbury Way - without booking.

Councillor John Spence, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: "A continued decline in case rates is of course welcome news, but the rates for Essex are still high.

"The worst thing we could do now is assume the pandemic is over and undermine all of the hard work it's taken to get us to this point.

"We recognise the impact that the pandemic has affected people in lots of different ways and that people are eager to get back to some kind of normality. The quickest way we will get there is by continuing to follow the guidance."

He added: "I would also urge individuals who are not showing Covid-19 symptoms – especially those who are unable to work from home - to book a rapid test as soon as possible to prevent anyone from unknowingly spreading the virus.

"This is now easier than ever thanks to a new walk-in option for appointments at our rapid test centres."