Plans moving forward for phased re-opening of city
A PHASED re-opening of Coventry in line with government lockdown guidelines is being planned by the city council.
Cllr George Duggins had his say on schools, parks and industry as the country slowly starts to reintroduce some elements of public life.
From the week commencing June 1 at the earliest, the government has asked primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups.
The city council has said it is working with schools to see how young people can be brought back “safely” and “with confidence”, but has not confirmed if it’s planning on meeting that target.
Coventry’s cabinet member for education Cllr Kevin Maton previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he wants schools to reopen in the summer so children can ‘catch up’ on missed education - although added those decisions should be made locally.
Elsewhere, some measures in parks have also eased such as the gradual re-opening of car parks, while construction work has also restarted.
As more people are expected in the city centre in the coming weeks, High Street has also been closed off to cars during the daytime to ensure social distancing.
Cllr Duggins said: “Following the Prime Minister’s announcement we are now entering the first of a number of phases in exiting the coronavirus lockdown.
“It is clear that exiting will take longer than entering. I’m also very clear that we will do this in a safe and planned way so as not to undermine the fantastic job local people have done in staying at home and complying with social distancing.
“Over the last few days we have been re-opening our park car parks so people can drive short distances to enjoy time in our parks.
“We will not re-open play areas yet. The very nature of children’s play means it’s tough to ensure social distancing is observed. Exercise equipment will remain closed and BBQS will not be allowed.
“Cafes and toilets will also remain closed for now. Tape will be removed from benches so people can enjoy a seat in the sun. Our fantastic park teams will carefully monitor numbers in the parks and may have to limit entry if they get too full.
“Looking further ahead to restaurants and cafes opening we await clear guidance from government on this.
“We will also work with our schools to see how in Coventry we can bring young people back into school with confidence and safely in the future.
“More of our work will ramp up over the next few weeks as construction, manufacturing and industry in general goes back to work.
“As part of this transitional stage, our highways teams are starting to change the way our city centre is set out to allow residents to queue while socially distancing as more shops start to open.
“We will be exiting lockdown in a planned and safe way and we will be clear with people so they know what’s happening.
“Safety and sustainability will be our priorities over the coming weeks and months as more of a sense of normality starts to return.
“I would like to thank local people for the sensible way they have responded and reassure everyone that we will continue to work collaboratively to ensure the city is best-placed to recover and thrive in the short, medium and long term.
“I’d also like to thank everyone who has worked through this so far - including care workers, the NHS and all key workers and backroom staff who have protected our city’s most vulnerable and kept vital front line services going.”