As we all look forward to a well-deserved rest over the long Easter Bank Holiday weekend and enjoying the relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in force from Monday 29 March, residents are being encouraged to respect each other and the rules by community safety partners.
While restrictions are easing, the ease comes at a time when the borough typically sees an increase in reports of neighbour nuisance and environmental anti-social behaviour – and when the #Ready2Respect campaign ramps up.
Under the relaxed restrictions you can now meet outside, either with one other household or up to six people, including in private gardens.
The ‘stay at home’ rule has also ended but you should continue to stay local, minimise travel and work from home as much as possible.
If you’re planning a gathering with friends or family this weekend, please respect the rules and each other. For example, excessive smoke from barbeques and loud music can be a nuisance for neighbours.
And with lighter nights and warmer weather often comes an increase in anti-social behaviour (ASB), including:
- off-road vehicles: scramblers, quad bikes being ridden illegally on public land
- nuisance fires in parks, grassland and other public areas
- general neighbourhood nuisance: dog fouling, litter, graffiti, noise and;
- anti-social behaviour: particularly in parks and other communal areas.
Given the many types of ASB, it’s not always easy to know who to contact nor the best way to contact them. Visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/ready2respect for a handy reporting guide.
And if you are meeting others outside your household, consider getting a quick and easy symptom-free Covid-19 test at one of the borough’s community testing centres, at:
- St Mary’s Indoor Market, town centre
- Chester Lane Community Centre, Sutton Manor
- Grange Valley Youth Centre, Haydock
- Torus Housing Office, Newton Road, Parr
- Perth Community Centre, Thatto Heath
One-in-three people with coronavirus don’t show symptoms, so getting a test will give you peace of mind knowing you won’t be spreading it. For full details on community testing, including Easter opening hours, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/covidtesting.
