Lincolnshire Coronavirus: Confidence over shops/markets re-opening

More businesses have been opening their doors again to customers after a long period of closure.

Today, Boston Borough Council is holding its first market in weeks, and next Tuesday West Lindsey District Council will be inviting traders back to their regular events in Gainsborough.

Director of Public Health at Lincolnshire County Council Derek Ward said partners in the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum had been planning for months.

“We have a whole stream about recovery purely focused on making sure we get businesses up and running and schools open and do so in a safe and measured way.

“So I’m confident that we’ve got the infrastructure in place to do that.”

However, he added: “Obviously it comes down to individual behaviours as well.”

Mr Ward joked that he was a “broken record” but urged people to maintain social distancing rules in order to “significantly reduce” the risk and protect themselves.

He added: “It gives them protection from potentially having to isolate for 14 days if they were in close contact of a confirmed case, because if you maintain that distance, you won’t be classified as a close contact.

“We’ve got to get the economy started I understand that, it’s the same argument in schools – we need to educate children.”

Shoppers have been advised that if they don’t feel comfortable with entering a business due to the number of people or lack of space inside, to consider leaving and coming back again during a quieter period or using alternative methods such as online shopping.

If safe to do so, they can also raise their concerns with shop owners.