Local people are being encouraged to take practical steps to enjoy a COVID safe visit to the town centre, as shops and outdoor hospitality venues prepare to reopen.
On 12 April, “step 2” of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown comes into effect. This means arange of businesses will be opening their doors once more – including outdoor hospitality, non-essential retail, leisure and sport facilities, personal care facilities and outdoors attractions.
Warrington Borough Council is working with partners, including the Police and the Business Improvement District, to make sure shops, bars, restaurants and other businesses are able to re-open safely. This includes making sure premises are COVID -secure, advising about using outdoor space, providing guidance on food standards and supporting staff testing for businesses.
We all have an important part to play in helping businesses to reopen safely and in protecting each other.
Safety first
Every resident in Warrington should 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 site 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.
Out and about
Please remember the basics – 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.
What you can expect?
Before opening, every businesses must have carried out a risk assessment to ensure that they can open in a covid-secure way.
Businesses will be keen to provide their customers with a great new offer but things may be slightly different than we are all used to. Businesses will also be working to ensure that their staff can return to work in a safe and secure way.
From Monday 12 April, 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.
Travelling to and from town
If you are using public transport, you 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). Please follow the government advice on staying safe outside your home, and try to 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 we gear up for our town centre springing 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 our coronavirus webpages.
