There’s an expression that if you “give an inch, they’ll take a mile.”

In this case, that inch is well deserved. After recently marking the one-year anniversary of hibernating from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that some restrictions would be eased in time for the Easter holiday.

As of April 4, restaurants may sell alcohol without requiring the purchase of food, and the curfew for removing drinks from tables will be lifted. Additionally, the capacity for self-certifying restaurants will be raised to 75%, while the capacity for restaurants that do not self-certify will be increased to 50%.

Other businesses — entertainment venues, personal services facilities and gyms — will also have their occupancy limits increased.

This is all great news. But let’s not take a mile.

We’ll soon find out whether spring break — which is wrapping up for schools across the nation — will lead to another uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases.

After that, Easter will be the next gathering — before Memorial Day weekend — that could determine whether there is a fourth wave of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, we continue to see progress in the battle against the pandemic. More people are getting vaccinated, the number of cases continues to drop around the nation and in the state and President Joe Biden recently announced that his aim is for all of the nation’s adults to be eligible for a vaccine by May 1.

Wolf’s easing restrictions ahead of Easter reflects a possible winding down of the pandemic. At least, we hope so.

In the meantime, let’s all remain vigilant. Just because it might seem as if it’s becoming safer to gather with others, keep in mind that all it takes to become infected is to come into contact with one of the thousands of people in the state who have the virus. Some of those who are infected don’t know it yet.

Keep following safety guidelines: Keep your hands clean and away from your face; social distance whenever possible, especially if you haven’t been vaccinated; and continue to wear your mask.

A year ago at this time, the state of our nation was bleak. Some of the jobs lost in the past year can be replaced, but the lives cannot. The effect on the economy is likely to continue for some time.

But things are otherwise looking up. Let’s keep moving in the right direction. For those who celebrate Easter, enjoy spending time with family or friends. Just please do it safely.

— NCD