Monday ushered in a new era for England, with the majority of Covid regulations dropped.

On this so-called ‘Freedom Day’, the country entered Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

With cases on the rise in the area, the general mood is one of cautious enjoyment.

Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Caroline Corbin, has spoken out about the need to return to a normal way of life, while being ‘mindful’ of the virus.

The mayor said that the good weather and socialising with friends and family is “fantastic”, but “there is an air of caution because the numbers are inevitably going to rise”.

She said: “We are at the point when we have to get back to a normal way of life.

“We need to go out and support our businesses - the restaurants, the shops, the pubs.

“We need to be out and about. We need to be mindful.

“Make sure you’re hydrated. Get out and have fun, but risk assess for yourself.

“Let people get back out with their grandchildren and hug them and do the normal things.”

The need to support businesses in and around the city has been made very clear in the last few weeks, as many were forced to temporarily close or reduce opening hours due to staff members having to self-isolate.

Read more: La Lambretta closes in Fordingbridge as staff self-isolate

The venues include Brown Street, Tinga and Nole on the Square.

La Lambretta in Fordingbridge had to call more than 100 people to cancel bookings after more than half of the team were ‘pinged’ by the NHS Covid-19 app.

The closure of the restaurant on the day of restrictions easing was “soul destroying” for owner Marco Stefanini.

Monday also came with new rules over the wearing of face masks.

The legal requirement to wear a face covering in public places was dropped, and it is down to individual companies and businesses if they wish to enforce the wearing of masks as a rule.

In general, Salisbury businesses and public transport companies are encouraging, but not enforcing, the wearing of masks.

Read more: Are masks required on public transport in Salisbury?

The mayor added: “I respect anyone who wants to wear a mask but I also respect those who don’t.

“I know myself that after having to wear it for 18 months and having a disability, how debilitating it is having to take it on and off.

“We don’t necessarily need to put the last 18 months behind us, but realise that this is our new normal for now.

“We should be sensible about what we do and how we interact.”

Read more: The Salisbury areas with the fewest Covid cases as numbers rise

 

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