Police thank revellers for following rules on first weekend since Covid restrictions ease
Revellers mainly stuck to the rules during the first weekend since shops and pubs with outdoor spaces were allowed to reopen in England, police bosses said today.
Customers enjoyed the sunshine as they piled into beer gardens across the county, taking advantage of a new sense of freedom.
Police officers were out in towns throughout the region and reported that measures had been put in place at bars and pubs, while the majority of customers behaved themselves appropriately.
However, they have renewed their appeal for people to keep following the rules so that lockdown restrictions can be eased further next month.
New coronavirus guidance means up to six people, or two households, can now meet outside at a pub for a drink, however, social distancing is still a requirement.
Table service is in place and masks must also be worn when indoors.
Superintendent Jim Baker, of West Mercia Police, said: “The weekend went very well and I’d like to thank both members of the public and publicans for adhering to the regulations.
“Measures had been put in place at bars and pubs and customers behaved themselves appropriately, so the impact on local policing was very modest and the feedback from officers on the ground was overwhelmingly positive.
“We are still some way off a typical pre-Covid night out, with nightclubs still shut and some of our town and city pubs lacking the outdoor space to open, so it’s very much a gradual introduction back to the night-time economy.
“As we are still in the midst of the pandemic, it’s important people continue to abide by the regulations and don’t risk undoing the progress that has been made in moving along the roadmap out of lockdown.
“We continue to follow the four Es approach of Engage, Explain, Encourage and where necessary Enforce.”
In Wales, outdoor hospitality for pubs, cafes and restaurants will reopen on Monday.
In England, the next stage of lockdown lifting is expected to happen on May 17, when pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and other hospitality venues will be able to seat customers indoors.
Most social contact rules will be lifted outdoors, but gatherings of more than 30 will be illegal.
Indoors, the rule of six or a larger group of up to two households will be allowed.
Boris Johnson hopes to be able to lift the majority of rules by June 21, but it is dependent on cases, deaths and hospital admissions continuing to fall.
