‘Lifeline for small businesses’
BUT POLITICIANS REMAIN CONCERNED OVER REOPENING OF SCHOOLS
PRIME Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown has been described as a ‘lifeline’ for small businesses, but local leaders remain concerned about the reopening of schools to all pupils.
The first step of the easing of the lockdown restrictions will begin on March 8, when schools will reopen and socialising between two people is permitted in public spaces.
From no earlier than March 29, the rule of six will be reintroduced, meaning six people from different households, or an unlimited number from two households, can meet outside in public or a private garden.
Non-essential retailers, such as hairdressers and salons, are expected to be able to reopen from April 12 at the earliest.
Gedling Borough Council leader, Councillor John Clarke, said he was “just hopeful we can get some form of normality”.
He said: “It’s something that all the 70 million of the population in this country have been looking forward to this announcement.”
He also reiterated the importance of social distancing, adding: “It’s (Covid-19) still here, it’s not going to disappear overnight or someone switches a switch.
“It’s going to be around for a long while.”
While he said the lifting of restrictions to allow non-essential businesses was a “lifeline”, Councillor Clarke said he was “nervous” about schools reopening.
He said: “I’m a bit nervous of it, it’s a couple of weeks’ time.
“I would have sooner liked to have seen it keep the extension on the schools and then have a later summer holiday.”
Councillor Milan Radulovic, leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, was also concerned about schools reopening.
He said: “The obvious concern is about the transmission of the virus from household to household, via children.
“That could easily affect teachers and others involved with the school. That needs to have been thought through better before I think.
“I urge a great deal of caution about this, I think a general return for students and all pupils should have been done in phases.
“I really have got some concerns about this.”
He also spoke of the importance of people being able to meet others in public.
“That feels a positive step forward, that will help people, particularly who are suffering from loneliness, isolation and mental health issues,” he said.
“Communication’s important to people.
“It’s one thing that we do rely on, that interaction, that social interaction as part of our mental health.
“The concern again has always been that, whilst 90 percent and 95 percent of the people follow the guidance, follow the rules, stay isolated, stay at home, there are those who think that the rules don’t apply to them.
“But basically I warmly welcome it, the chance to interact with people will go a long way towards helping some of those people with mental health issues to cope better.”
And, speaking about the news for non-essential businesses, he added: “Places like hairdressers, beauty salons, tanning shops, gyms, they’ve made great strides in a year to ensure their customers are safe and protected.
“They have completely changed the way in which they operate. If you go into any barbers, hairdressers, you go into any beauty salon, they are Covid compliant. They understand the need to ensure isolation and to
stop transmission of any potential viruses.
“That is something that should be warmly welcomed.”
Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, added: “Each previous lockdown lifting plan has ended up with us back in lockdown once more.
“I want the Government to proceed cautiously and get this right, so this is our final lockdown.
“Schools should be the first to reopen - we all want children back in school as soon as it’s safe.
“But it’s concerning that epidemiologists have warned that the Government’s plan for school returns could push R very close to or even above one.
“I support the National Education Union’s calls for limiting numbers of pupils on site through a rota system at first.”