Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson have both urged "care and respect" as friends and family are set to meet for the first time indoors since New Year on Monday.
As well as the Leaders of Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral Councils, Metro Mayor Rotheram and Mayor Anderson have issued an appeal to people ahead of restrictions being eased on Monday.
From Monday, loved ones will be able to meet indoors, inside of pubs and restaurants and cinemas after a long wait.
It will be the first time for many since the early New Year that an indoor reunion could take place.
Speaking on behalf of the Leaders and Mayor of the six Local Authorities of the Liverpool City Region, Mayor Rotheram said it was vital we were still cautious, after reflecting on a very difficult year.
He said: “We’re all looking forward to enjoying the return of these freedoms we have missed so much over the last few months, to seeing more of friends and family and getting out and supporting more of our region’s businesses.
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“But it’s vital that we do this with care and respect for each other and remember that we still need to be cautious and do the right things to keep the virus under control and prevent another spike in infections.
“We have all been through an incredibly difficult period and we do not want to go back on the progress we have made together.
“The virus has not gone away and there is increasing concern about the presence of the new b.1.617 variant, first identified in India, across the country and in our region.
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“So today we are appealing to everyone to not be complacent. Please keep following the rules on social distancing, wear a face-covering where required, wash your hands regularly and take care when visiting friends and family indoors, especially to protect people who are more vulnerable.
“It’s also vital the everybody gets a Covid vaccine when invited – and gets both jabs be sure of the maximum protection for themselves and others.
“Our region is famous for its warmth, generosity and strong sense of community. Let’s keep using that, stick together and make sure we keep beating Covid so we can enjoy a summer of freedoms with no more unnecessary deaths due to this terrible pandemic.”
