Shoppers are being urged to shop locally but safely, as retailers, hospitality venues and personal care businesses resume trading.

After more than three months of coronavirus closures, Newark and Sherwood District Council is working alongside businesses to equip them for a Covid-secure reopening.

Non-essential retail, hairdressers and nail salons have all opened their doors this week as part of the next stage of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, with pubs, cafes and restaurants following suit, making a return for outdoor service at the same time.

The district council is working alongside premises to ensure they have all the support and information to enable them to safely re-open. As with previous lockdowns and subsequent re-openings, the council has issued a comprehensive guidance pack for businesses, setting out the Covid-secure measures they should take in relation to managing social distancing and queuing, new cleaning regimes and essential risk assessments.

Council environmental health officers are also undertaking visits to businesses, ensuring they are suitably prepared with all Covid regulations adhered to. A ‘night of action’ is also set to take place on April 17 – the first Saturday night since re-opening – in which council officers will be doing random inspections with the powers to enforce compliance where required.

Council leader Coun David Lloyd said: “After being closed for more than three months, the latest step in the Government’s roadmap is a huge positive move forward.

“The last year has been unimaginably tough for our businesses, which is why we should all make that extra effort to shop locally and to choose a local retailer where we can if we are shopping online.

“The reopening of our high streets is key to kick-starting our economic recovery, however, COVID hasn’t gone away. While the vaccine is being rolled out at an incredible pace, it is still critical that a cautious approach is taken to ensure infection rates remain low as the vaccine rollout continues.”

Maria Digisi, who runs Alfresco Caffe, Southwell, said: “We have missed the banter between friends and staff, and we are eager to welcome locals, friendly faces and know they are all safe and well.”

“Reopening now is important in supporting local businesses and for businesses to provide safe environments for customers. With the weather improving it will be a boost for all to thrive in the new norm and we look forward to a brighter future.”

Wider social contact rules will still apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households. This means that outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households is still allowed but there is to be no indoor mixing between households.

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