Coronavirus restrictions ease across Suffolk

Outdoor hospitality and non-essential shops across Suffolk return today (12 April).

The Prime Minister confirmed on Easter Monday the roadmap dates he initially set out in February would remain unchanged.

It means shops, zoos, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, community centres, theme parks and drive-in cinemas will all be back in business.

Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen, but only for use by people on their own or with household members as indoor mixing is banned until 17 May.

Pubs

Hospitality venues can serve alcohol outside without the need for a "substantial meal" and self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets will also be permitted.

The Golden Hind, Ipswich, welcomed the return of beer gardens after being closed throughout the whole of 2021.

Joint Landlord, Ryan Scott, said the first day has been smooth:

"The customers, this time round, are trained. It's almost like they're trained to come in and do what we need them to. It's just normal now, whereas last year we felt like we having to go 'do this do that' but so far today people have just come in and automatically signed in, gone to a table, sanitised their hands, so far so good."

The pub is confident there won't be any issues with patrons sticking to the rules.

Darren Scott, Joint Landlord of The Golden Hind, added:

"People just want to get back to normal, whatever that new normal is now we don't know. I think they will stick by the rules, they want to come out now, they want to have their life back, same as we all do."

While today is a positive step for venues across the country, potential closures in the future remain in the minds of Darren and Ryan, who explained they are "planning ahead" to ensure the business and their staff remain protected.

Nick Attfield, Director of Properties at Adnams, said:

"Our whole reason for being is to welcome people back into our venues. We're not very good at being closed, not very good at being sat at desks wondering what we're going to do. So, we're absolutely excited to be reopening.

"Everyone has looked at ways at providing a safe harbour for their guests. Looking at using any and new spaces, installing covers, installing tipis, installing marquees, putting in heating and trying to find the right solutions so we can get cracking and serving beer again."

The majority of Adnams' managed or tenanted properties will being opening for outdoor service this week and while the company remains optimistic the roadmap will proceed as planned, Nick said the industry is a "resilient bunch" who will overcome any challenges.

Care home visiting

Also included in the easing of Covid-19 restrictions is the ability for care home residents to have two indoor visitors, as well as babies and young children which are not included in the limit.

Amanda Weir, area manager at MHA, which has care homes across the region, said:

"Holding of the hands, a hug, that's just been missing. We've worked really hard to try and make sure residents still receive that love and care, but they need their families.

"Having visitors re-engages them with the outside world and gets them to see their loved ones who they haven't been able to see for such a long period of time. It will be fantastic."

Zoos

Banham Zoo in Norfolk and Africa Alive in Suffolk are two of the outdoor attractions re-opening today, after months of closure.

Claudia Roberts, from the Zoological Society of East Anglia, says:

"We're really excited about opening today. It's been a long, hard slog to get through the winter months without having any income, but we're really looking forward to seeing our members from today and the general public from this weekend.

"Please remember to book online and please do follow the rules when you're here to keep yourself and all of our staff safe."

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