Hitchin town centre boss Tom Hardy has been reflecting on the government freezing the easing of a number of lockdown restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has slammed the brakes on further lockdown easing measures, due to come into practice from Saturday.

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty also cautioned that the country could have reached a limit for how much can be opened up this summer.

Mr Hardy, who has earned plaudits for his work backing Hitchin and its businesses through lockdown spoke to Nub News to give his verdict.

"We'll be analysing what the government have said today but there's not that much initial detail," he explained, adding: "It appears that they are delaying the easing of restrictions intended for early August. We're not 'going backwards' as it were, but we will be studying the new information intently.

"We are doing everything we can to make sure Hitchin is safe for people and we're doing everything we can to support local businesses.

"Our BID team have been busy handing out subsidised PPE to Hitchin businesses. We've also facilitated external floor stickers and signage to ease financial re-opening pressures.

"We've got 10 outdoor public hand sanitizer stations in Hitchin town centre and have put up social distancing signage to promote good practice in shops to ensure customer safety."

Laws insisting face masks must be worn have been increased to cover 'other indoor settings' according to the prime minister.

With Covid infection rates rising again in many parts of England, the government announced on Friday lunchtime it was to halt the process of easing many lockdown restrictions.

PM Johnson revealed people would be required by law to wear face coverings in museums - which would include Hitchin's North Herts Museum on Brand Street - as well as galleries, cinemas and places of worship from Saturday, August 8.

"At this stage, we are not changing the rules on social contact nationally," Johnson said during his Downing Street press conference, adding, "I don't want to tell people to spend less time with their friends. But unless people follow the rules and behave safely, we may need to go further."

The PM, who was stricken with the virus in April, also promoted a new slogan telling the public of four simple ways to avoid spreading Covid with a child-like rhyme: "Hands, face, space, get a test."

"This is how we will avoid a return to full national lockdown," he added.