With the dates on the government’s lockdown easing roadmap still on track, England is set to see further restrictions lifted on Monday 12 April. Here’s what will change.
The biggest change will be the re-opening of a variety of non-essential businesses and services.
According to the government roadmap, as of Monday 12 April:
- Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can re-open.
- Outdoor hospitality services will open for outdoor table service ONLY. The Rule of Six will apply (up to six people or two separate households)
- Public buildings like libraries and community centres will re-open.
- Indoor leisure centres and gyms will re-open for individual or group household exercise.
- Outdoor attractions such as zoos, safari parks, theme parks, botanic gardens and drive-in cinemas will re-open.
- Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, will re-open.
- Weddings can take place with up to 15 people. Funerals can be attended by up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes.
- Care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test).
- All childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors and outdoors for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors and outdoors for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number).
TWC has released a pictograph showing what will change on Monday. Click for the full-size version.
Telford & Wrekin Council (TWC) has already announced that three libraries in the borough will be re-opening:
- Southwater One
- Wellington
- Newport
Face coverings will be required by all visitors, unless exempt. Computers can be used, but must be booked in advance.
In the same Newsroom post, TWC also announced that their leisure centres would be re-opening. There are some restrictions still in place though, and you will need to book in advance.
The Council is encouraging residents to support local businesses as they start to open up. “It’s now more important than ever to support your local high street and shop local,” TWC said.
Although restrictions are easing, people are still being urged to be careful. Face masks in public are still required, social distancing should be maintained, and people should regularly wash their hands. Remember that the ‘rule of six’ still applies, and follow any guidance listed inside venues.
After suffering from above-average COVID-19 infection rates earlier in the year, infection rates in Telford & Wrekin have encouragingly dropped, and are now “significantly lower than the regional and national average”. Telford & Wrekin Council’s figures have shown a further decline in the Borough during the week ending 4 April.
Liz Noakes, Director for Public Health, offered “a big thank you to all our residents, for following the rules throughout these challenging months and helping to bring the case numbers down in our borough.”
Lawley and Overdale Parish Council would like to offer thanks to everybody in the parish as well.
As always, the continuing advice is for people to to wash their hands regularly, wear masks, only leave home for essential reasons such as food shopping, and to practice social distancing. NHS England has a full list of steps you can take to help stop the spread of the virus.
People with coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and book a standard coronavirus test as soon as possible. You can book a test 24/7 online, or by calling 119.