The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
EASY DOES IT
Lido reopens for swimmers and reunions in parks and open spaces as lockdown restrictions are eased...
■ Residents back in the swing and swim of things as lockdown is loosened ■ Health chief warns against coronavirus complacency as rates remain above average
The director of public health for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire has urged people not to be complacent and stay Covid safe as lockdown restrictions are eased.
While case numbers in Peterborough are falling, they remain much higher than the UK rate as a whole, and while people can meet up with family and friends for the first time in months, there are still strict rules in place to ensure people stay safe.
Dr Liz Robin said: “While everyone is pleased to see the slight relaxation in lockdown rules from March 29, and the success to date of the vaccination programme, it is important that we don’t become complacent.
“To keep heading in the right direction, it is as important as ever to stick to the government rules which are still in place, and to follow the hands, face, space and fresh air guidance.
“Please stay local if you can, avoid crowded places, and remember it is safer outside in the fresh air.”
Figures released on Tuesday evening put Peterborough 26th in the list of areas with the highest Covid rate in the country, with 107.8 cases per 100,000 people - nearly double the UK rate of 56.4.
Peterborough Lido opened on Monday (March 29) for the first time in over a year after lockdown restrictions were lifted in England.
The popular outdoor swimming pool was closed for the entirety of 2020 and it is believed to be the first time that this had happened since it was built in 1936, 85 years ago. The lifting of a number of lockdown restrictions in England today, however, allowed the popular attraction to reopen. Among those is attendance to mark the occasion were Mayor Gul Nawaz, former council leader John Peach and long time Lido user Bill Marriott, complete with his striped bathing suit and straw boater.
Mr Peach, who offered £10,000 of his own money to get The Lido opened last year, was the first to be pushed into the pool to mark the ceremonial opening of the swimming season.
The Lido opened to the public at 7:30am and many members of the public, along with members from City of Peterborough Swimming Club took the opportunity to take their first dip of the year.
Family and friends in Peterborough have been reuniting after lockdown restrictions were eased and the rule of six reintroduced.
From Monday, people were once again allowed to meet up with another household or up to five other people outside. Picnics in a park or each other’s garden are within the rules but socialising inside still remains prohibited.
Earlier this month, the PeterboroughTelegraphcovered the delight of so many when meeting just one person outside was once again made legal and heard stories of friends reuniting after more than a year without seeing each other face-to-face.
Central Park has been busy with people taking the first opportunity to reunite with relatives or friends as the roadmap to all restrictions being lifted continues.
The next key date is April 12 when hairdressers, gyms, spas and other community spaces and non-essential retail are set to reopen.
As for meetups, indoors, the current plan is for these to be able to resume with one other household on May 17.