Step 2 begins...

As I suggested in my last blog, Step 2, or Step 3 if you can add up, of the Government's master plan to returning to normal following the COVID-19 Crisis begins today, with Hastings back among the least hit areas again, thankfully, currently with just 3 incidences; approximately 15% of the national average rate per 100,000. 

I am replicating below changes from today; source the BBC website:

'More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups. Outside, six people or two households can meet.

• All shops allowed to open
• Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open
• Restaurants and pubs allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors
• Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
• Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation
• Non-essential journeys between England and Wales are allowed
• Weddings - up to 15 people
• Funerals - up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes
• Children will be able to attend any indoor children's activity
• Care home visitors will increase to two per resident
• Driving lessons can resume, with driving tests restarting on 22 April'

Whatever you get up to please do remember there still is a pandemic, so don't forget to continue washing your hands regularly, maintain social distancing, and wear a face covering where required in law and to respect others, stay safe folks!

Returning to Normal, gradually, Step 2... or really Step 3?

So, we reach Step 2 or 3 on Monday 12th April, depending on if you can count or not, or if you believe that the last step was a mezzanine floor 😉 (blog), and things are gradually reopening from then, it appears. Not to forget that 'non-essential' shops are reopening, and I still don't know how they thought that clothes are inessential, oh yes, and hair dressing and hair cutting, beards etc etc... I used the image above as the Ferris Wheel is due to be open for business too, good stuff, all being well...

 

Regarding hospitality, only outdoor eating and drinking is allowed from Monday, having to wait until May and when the 3rd or 4th step comes into force for drinkers, and people who enjoy eating out, to be treated like humans at last, although it will still come with mitigations as happened last year. The Pier will have its 'outdoor garden' drinking area, as can already be seen towards the end of the Pier, and at least another 13 pubs have confirmed they will be opening, including the Dolphin Inn, Jenny Lind, Stag Inn, Carlisle, Imperial, Marina Fountain, Bull Inn and Harrow Inn (Observer).

And other attractions, like the Blue Reef Aquarium, will be reopening, but check websites or telephone beforehand, for any restrictions, or if pre-booking is required. And the COVID-19 Crisis is nowhere near over yet... 

So please do not forget to wash your hands regularly, maintain social distancing and wear masks where appropriate, stay safe folks! 👍