Roadmap rules warning as more local businesses in Cornwall get ready to reopen
More restrictions will be lifting from Monday 12th April, including the reopening of non-essential shops
People across Cornwall are being urged to stick to the roadmap rules as more local businesses get set to reopen.
From Monday (12th April) the likes of non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality can all start up again.
This step in the roadmap sees the biggest lifting of restrictions so far, aimed at getting us another step closer to normality.
But public health officials in the Duchy say we must still remain cautious and not become complacent.
Their message is that while our freedoms increase it is vital that we continue to keep up with the things that keep us all safe.
The advice is that people must continue to wear a face covering in enclosed public places like shops (unless you are medically exempt), wash your hands often for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser, and keep 2 metres apart from anyone you don’t live with even when you are socialising.
We are being asked to take up the vaccine when offered and to get a test and self-isolate if you develop any symptoms.
"Keeping ourselves safe from the virus means we need to do all these things together, if we skip doing even one thing we put ourselves and others at more risk."
Cornwall Council public health team
In brief the rules will allow:
• Rule of six or two households meeting outdoors only (unless you are in a support bubble which can meet indoors)
• Reopening of non-essential retail
• Reopening of personal care premises
• Indoor gyms sessions for individuals or households (but not mixed groups)
• Reopening outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks or drive in cinemas
• Hospitality venues can provide food and drink outdoors
• You can stay away from home overnight in self-contained accommodation with your household.
'The pandemic is still very much with us'
“The easing of the roadmap is welcome and many of us will be excited to meet friends, get our hair done and have some feeling of freedom.
“But we’re still cautious and we still can’t be complacent. The second we relax and take our eye off the ball, Covid can sneak back in. So please, stick to the rules to keep Cornwall’s cases low. We don’t want to find ourselves in a situation where we have to take a backwards step now.
“Let’s keep going, keep following the rules and we can all get back to doing the rest of the things we love to do. Remember to keep up with hands, face, space and get the vaccine when you’re offered it.
Rachel Wigglesworth, director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Cornwall’s high streets and neighbourhood shopping areas have been doing lots of work to get ready for fully reopening safely.
To help everyone feel reassured that everything possible is being done to keep them safe when they are out and around, the Council has been working with local councils and high street businesses to put lots of Covid-safety measures in place.
This is being supported from the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and includes prominent signage with social distancing and face covering reminders, one-way traffic flow and designated pedestrian-only areas, and encouraging the use of hand sanitiser stations.
Keep an eye out also for some of the street performers who will be out and about again in our town centres reminding us that we all still need to follow the public health guidance.
Public health officials say the pandemic 'is still very much with us' and we all have an important role to play in helping keep our high streets open so they can continue to do business once more without fear of further restrictions being imposed again.