SHOPPERS were being encouraged to take practical steps to enjoy a COVID safe visit to Warrington town centre as shops and outdoor hospitality venues re-opened today.
Step Two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown came into effect and this meant a range of businesses were opening their doors once more – including outdoor hospitality, non-essential retail, leisure and sport facilities, personal care facilities and outdoor attractions.
The borough council was working with partners, including the Police and the Business Improvement District, to make sure shops, bars, restaurants and other businesses were able to re-open safely. This included making sure premises were COVID -secure, advising about using outdoor space, providing guidance on food standards and supporting staff testing for businesses.
The message to residents was: Get a regular symptom-free lateral flow test twice a week to ensure you are not unknowingly spreading coronavirus. You are now able to order symptom-free tests online or to collect from a participating pharmacy or testing sites at Halliwell Jones Stadium or St Wilfrid’s Parish Centre.
If you think you may have coronavirus, or you are displaying any symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and book an NHS test by visiting gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.
The basics should be remembered – hands, face, space, ventilation. Washing or sanitising your hands often, wearing a face covering, and maintaining social distance when you have to your leave home.
Follow the guidance around one way systems, clearly designated entrances and exits, queueing and social distancing in place to keep everyone safe.
Before re-opening, every business must have carried out a risk assessment to ensure that they can open in a covid-secure way.
Food and drink venues will only be serving outdoors with table service in order to keep social distancing rules and to allow fresh air.
All hospitality venues will have a QR code system in place to record your name and contact details to support NHS Test and Trace.
People using public transport should follow the government’s safer travel guidance for passengers.
If you are travelling and are aged 11 and over, you need to wear a face covering (unless you aren’t able to do so). Keep your distance from other people if possible. If you have hand sanitiser please take it with you on your journey.
Taxi ranks are located at Academy Way, Barbauld Street, and Sankey Street for the night time economy as well as extra ranks at Cockhedge Way and Winwick Street during the day.
Taxi marshals will be available in the town centre and Stockton Heath at peak times to direct you to the new taxi ranks in the town centre. The Police will also be maintaining a presence for your safety.
Steve Park, Warrington’s Director of Growth, said: “It’s an exciting time as our town centre springs back to life once more with businesses reopening safely under the roadmap out of lockdown.
“When you come into the town centre for the first time, there may be some changes all aimed at keeping residents and workers as safe as possible. Please also remember the basics of hands, face and space when you are out and about, to ensure we can keep the number of COVID cases low in Warrington.”
For more information coronavirus in Warrington, visit: warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-warrington.
