'Shop local and stay safe' is the message from Hertsmere Borough Council with more people expected to hit the high streets after further lockdown restrictions were eased.
Staff and customers are being praised for adhering to Covid-19 safety guidelines as non-essential shops, hairdressers, beauty salons, leisure centres, hotels for household-only overnight stays and outdoor seating areas in cafes and pubs re-opened in the borough.
From yesterday (Monday 17 May), indoor hospitality including restaurants, pubs and cafes were allowed to reopen, as well as indoor sport for adults not in the same household, and indoor entertainment and attractions.
In addition, social contact rules have changed - up to 30 people can meet outdoors, while the rule of six applies indoors.
Business owners and managers across the borough and across different sectors feature in the council's new Shop Local, Stay Safe social media campaign, which aims to welcome people back to the high streets, while asking them to follow the mantra of hands, face, space and fresh air.
Daisy's in the Park in Radlett. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council
The Wellington pub, Borehamwood. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council
Councillor Meenal Sachdev, portfolio holder for community and economic development, said: "It’s been wonderful to see businesses reopening again and I can't thank residents enough for supporting their high streets and doing so, safely.
"I know this latest set of restrictions lifting will be a relief for so many businesses and residents, but we can't be complacent. The pandemic isn't over yet.
"Please continue to do all you can to keep yourselves and your community safe. Wear a face covering; wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly; maintain social distancing and get tested twice-a-week.
"By taking these simple steps, we can, hopefully, continue to make our way out of lockdown and look forward to a more of a normal summer, doing the things we all love, like meeting friends and family and being together."
The Dress Circle in Potters Bar. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council
The coronavirus case rate in Hertsmere is relatively low, however cases of the Indian variant have been identified in Hertfordshire as well as in London.
Data from the Wellcome Sanger Institute has revealed cases of the India variant were identified in nine out of Hertfordshire's ten districts in the week ending May 8, including Hertsmere.
Hertfordshire's director of public health says the current number of cases of the Indian variant are "not a cause for serious concern".
Jim McManus said: "We have been notified by Public Health England (PHE) of a small number of cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Hertfordshire.
"I would like to stress that we expect variant cases and are prepared for them.
"Since these numbers are very low, they are not an imminent or serious cause for concern and, along with PHE, we continue to contact trace these cases comprehensively, to support them to self-isolate and to monitor the data very closely, as we do with all variants across Hertfordshire."
Hertfordshire County Council director of public health, Jim McManus
Mr McManus added: "We have arrangements in place for managing cases and outbreaks of variants, and were prepared for this. We are ready to take the appropriate action and have plans in place if needed to protect our residents.
"The most important thing for people who test positive to do remains to self-isolate. This will stop the spread of any variant in its tracks."
See more: PHE boss says current number of Indian Covid variant cases in Herts 'not of serious concern'
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