Published: Friday 03rd July 2020 | 9.58am
With lockdown measures lifting from Saturday we are urging residents and visitors to the District to act responsibly and heed to government advice on social distancing.
This Saturday (4 July) will see many pubs, restaurants and cafés welcoming customers back as government restrictions ease and they are able to open again as long as they have measures in place to ensure social distancing and reduce the spread of infection.
Council officers from Environmental Health Food and Safety and Licensing teams have been extremely busy over the last few weeks making sure that non-essential shops were ready to open on 15 June and now pubs, restaurants and cafés on 4 July. Officers have been visiting premises, offering advice and support during these unprecedented times and supporting the government guidance of ‘five steps to safer working together’ which businesses are displaying in their windows to let members of the public know they are COVID secure.
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Town Centre Regeneration said “With government restrictions easing we are slowing seeing our town centres come back to life and are finally getting the local economy moving again.
“It’s good to see so many businesses in the District open and adapting their premises so social distancing can take place and everyone stays safe.
“Our officers have worked really hard supporting businesses and helping them to understand and implement the government’s guidelines to ensure that they can stay open.”
Councillor Christine Martin, Portfolio Leader for Health and Wellbeing said “Saturday will see the opening of pubs, restaurants and cafés across the District. Our officers have been visiting premises to ensure that they are safe to open.
“I know that a lot of people are looking forward to going out for a meal or a drink but they must remember that the virus is still out there. I would urge anyone going out this weekend to be sensible, remember that businesses will be restricting the number of people on their premises at any one time and will ask for your name and a contact number. Make sure you plan where you are going, make sure you’ve booked if you need to do so and think about how you are going to get home if you’ve had a drink. Remember face coverings on public transport including taxis are mandatory. You need to think about the health and safety of those around you, not just yours and if you are suffering from any symptoms, please stay at home.
“We want everyone to enjoy themselves but act responsibly, stay safe, stay alert and remember we are still in a pandemic.”