VISITORS and residents are welcome to enjoy York outdoors this Easter, city leaders say, but people should remember to stick to the rule of six or only two households meeting.

The city currently has the lowest Covid rate in the region.

But the public health team is not as worried about people visiting from areas with higher rates as they were last year, because the virus does not spread as easily outdoors and most indoor venues are still closed.

And Fiona Phillips, assistant director of public health, also revealed the low rate of Covid among over 60s in the city currently. She said that at most there are only one or two cases per week in the over 60s, as she praised the impact of the vaccination programme.

Ms Phillips said: "We know that people want to get out and meet with people. As long as they do that in a safe way, it's a positive thing because it's the first step out of this lockdown.

"People have been in lockdown for a long time and are quite looking forward to being able to meet up with people but just that reminder about sticking to the rule of six or two households and also continuing to meet outside.

"We've still got the Covid marshals who know where the busier pinch points tend to be, so along with colleagues in the police they will remind people if they feel they aren't following those guidelines and will be there to give those friendly reminders and if needed to move people on if they are not sticking to those guidelines."

She added that people can wear their face masks outdoors if they are worried and feel it is busy.

"I'm less worried about [visitors from areas with higher infection rates] in this first period because there is not much you can do inside, most places are still closed, so if people are coming to visit York, which they will want to do, it's all based outside," she said.

"Although we do have the lowest rates in the region, and the rates have been quite stubborn in some of our neighbouring local authorities, they are starting to come down in those areas as well. That's another positive."

"We never want to be complacent because we know how quickly it can change. Having low rates is testament to the fact that people in York have been following the guidance. And also the vaccination rollout as well.

"Our rate in our over 60s population is really low now - if we get one or two case per week in that population that is the height of it.

"That demonstrates what the vaccine can do in terms of reducing transmission."

Cllr Carol Runciman said: "We do want people to come to the city and we do want people to enjoy the city. But they need to remember the rule of six and meet people outside in a space where they can sit in a small group.

"Choose a place where there's plenty of room and fresh air, where any droplets will be dispersed.

"We want people to enjoy the city. They can always walk around the walls and you can't do that in big groups, so that's another good place to go to see the sights."

"People need to just remember that they can't be complacent - the virus is still around.

"Not everybody has been vaccinated yet - people under 50 haven't been vaccinated and they can catch it too."

She added that litter pickers will be out around the city and Covid marshals and BID rangers will encourage people to put waste in the bin. Cllr Runciman added that the team will focus on advising people, rather than fining anyone who drops litter.