Due to the extraordinary efforts of the NHS and British people, the UK has slowed the spread of coronavirus. Nationally hospital admissions are down and we have so far protected the NHS from being overwhelmed thus saving many lives.
We are now moving, cautiously, to the next phase where we begin to return to some aspects of normal life as outlined by The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. For now, not a huge amount has changed but we have gained some new freedoms. For example, we can now take unlimited exercise and play outdoor sports including golf, fishing and tennis. I know that most of us welcome these measures, especially as we can now head to the harbour or the South Downs National Park again, however, I appreciate that some residents who live in these areas are concerned about large numbers of visitors to the area. It is important to remember social distancing measures are still in place and the police are doing an excellent job at monitoring and enforcing these rules. So far Sussex Police have given out the 6th highest number of fines in the country. Mostly to people from outside the area…
Many of us welcome the reopening of garden centres which will be hugely beneficial to our local horticultural industry which has been struggling as they have missed some of their peak selling periods. If you're looking for a way to enjoy the weather this weekend head to your local garden centre and fill your home and garden with beautiful, locally grown plants.
The day to day for most of us won’t change for now, and workers should continue to work from home wherever possible. Those who can’t, should head back into work where appropriate measures will be in place to keep socially distant. Of course, some businesses have continued to operate this way throughout the lockdown including our local food industry and many critical services. For those businesses which will remain closed the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a continuation of the furlough scheme for another four months until the end of October. From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to contribute towards some of the costs of their salaries.
Schools will slowly start to return from next month, as long as the infection rate remains low as we begin to rebuild aspects of normal life saving livelihoods as well as lives.