Suffolk urged NOT to "tank down skinfuls night after night" after restrictions eased
That's the message from the county's Police and Crime Commissioner.
"Don't go out and tank down skinfuls night after night".
That's the message from Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner as restrictions ease across England today.
Tim Passmore says: "The big challenge coming up as the lockdown starts to end next Monday with more and more people coming to visit Suffolk through staycations – which is very welcome from an economic recovery perspective – nevertheless it will present challenges to the constaubulary.”
“Plans are well advanced for that by diverting resources to make sure people are kept safe. And of course, the opening of pubs and clubs after remaining more or less moribund for 18 months.
“I hope people can be moderate and sensible in their behaviour, and don’t go out and tank down skinfuls night after night.
"I am happy to say, the town pastors are ready, and in Ipswich the taxi marshalling scheme we run with Ipswich Central and the borough council is all ready to be fired up as well.
“If people continue to follow the advice around hand washing, ventilation, distancing and mask wearing on public transport or crowded places, then I am very confident we will see through this.”
As well as a message of caution, there will also be additional police patrols around bars, pubs and tourism hot spots from today in Suffolk.
Plans to divert resources have been in the works since Spring to ensure officers were available from so-called 'Freedom Day'.
A force spokesman said: “Police will be providing visible, targeted and positive engagement and presence around areas of high footfall over the summer such as bars and pubs.
“The force mobile police station will also be touring the county, paying visits to various locations.
“With the easing of lockdown rules most people have enjoyed their new freedoms sensibly and it’s great to see businesses re-establishing themselves.
“However, we have a responsibility to them and our communities to keep them safe and deal positively with criminal behaviour so we will not tolerate violence, abuse or anti-social behaviour.”
Latest figures indicated there had been no fixed penalty notices issued in the last two weeks for Covid-19 breaches, and just 0.1% of the calls into the police control room were around Covid-19.
What can and can't you do after July 19th?
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
From the 19th July in England, wearing facemasks is no longer compulsory. You'll no longer be legally required to wear one when you're out and about.
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
From the 19th there will be no legal limits on the size of groups that can gather, meaning no rule of six or bubbles to consider.
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
All social distancing rules are scrapped from the 19th July
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
From 'freedom day' workers are no longer being asked to work from home if possible, the government have said that people can go back into the workplace, even if they can do their job from home
What things are going back to normal?
Nightclubs and events like concerts, gigs and theatres will be able to re-open as normal from the 19th, although the government are encouraging venues like nightclubs to use Covid status certification, often called vaccine passports.
What things are going back to normal?
With no limit on the numbers that can gather and social distancing rules removed, Wedding sand funerals and other large occasions are back to normal.
What things are going back to normal?
Pubs and restaurants can go back to having people order at the bar and not have to have screens between tables, although it's thought many will keep some of the precautions in place.
Where do I need to wear a facemask?
Despite it no longer being a legal requirement, the government have made it clear that they recommend and expect facemasks to be worn in crowded areas and on public transport. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has made facemasks compulsory on public transport in London, with travel operators around the country making their own decisions on rules.
What do you still have to do after 'Freedom Day'?
If you're pinged by the NHS test and trace app because you've been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus you do still have to isolate. The government announced this will be ending for those who have had both doses of the vaccine and those under 18, but that doesn't come into force until the 16th August
What do you still have to do after 'Freedom Day'?
Countries you can travel to and from and whether you need to quarantine are still regulated by the green, amber and red lists. Although from the 19th July people who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be able to return quarantine-free to England from amber list countries