COUNCIL bosses have urged residents to stay safe while meeting up with family and friends this Easter weekend.

As lockdown restrictions have started to be eased, people can now meet in groups of no more than six people in an outdoor setting.

Julia Burrows, the director of public health for Barnsley, wants to remind people that while restrictions have been eased, social distancing measures still need to take place.

She said: “The new guidance around meeting a group of people outdoors has been really welcome news for many of us and is a big step in the right direction in terms of our journey out of lockdown; however, it’s really important to stick to the guidance and only meet outdoors.

“This may mean being put in situations where you have to say no to joining a large group of more than 6, or perhaps feeling pressured to go indoors with people outside your bubble.

“It is so important to set your boundaries and be assertive in those situations, and to continue following the guidance to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the virus.

“I hope you have a happy and safe bank holiday weekend.”