Restriction changes from April 12
Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do will change from tomorrow (12 April). You can read the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ (the roadmap out of lockdown) for more information on how COVID-19 restrictions will be eased in England. You can also read the law that underpins these changes and the ongoing restrictions.
From 12 April:
- non-essential retail will be able to reopen
- personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons will be able to reopen
- public buildings such as libraries and community centres will be able to reopen
- outdoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen, with table service only
- most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) will be able to reopen
- some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds will be able to take place
- indoor leisure and sports facilities will be able to reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble
- all childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)
- weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events will be able to take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens
- self-contained accommodation will be able to open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble
- you should continue to minimise the amount that you travel where possible
- care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)
Some of our services are changing
A number of services provided by the council will change from April 12, 2021, in line with Government restrictions.
In summary the main changes are:
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Markets: The markets in Workington, Wigton and Keswick will resume from the week commencing April 12 with various safety measures in place.
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Customer service centres: From April 12 we are reopening our offices on an appointment only basis to ensure the safety of our customers and our staff. Please note there will no longer be a walk-in service. Customers can ring 0303 123 1702 to arrange an appointment at a time and location convenient to them at our offices in Allerdale House, Workington, Maryport Town Hall, Keswick Town Hall, Wigton Market Hall and Cockermouth Town Hall.
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Leisure centres: From April 12, the council’s leisure partners GLL (who operate as Better) will be reopening the leisure centres in Workington and Cockermouth as well as The Wave Centre in Maryport for indoor activities in line with Covid-19 restrictions. The gym at the leisure pool site in Keswick will also reopen on April 12.
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Cumbrians reassured about AZ vaccine as new COVID-19 cases drop
As the county prepares for the next step in the easing of lockdown rules new COVID-19 cases dropped to numbers last seen in September, with 81 new infections recorded in week ending 2 April, down from 134 the previous week.
For the seventh week in a row, Allerdale had the greatest number of new cases (+26 new cases);
While there was some variation between districts, the infection rate in Cumbria (16/100k) remains below national and regional averages (38/100k and 44/100k respectively).
The number of patients in hospital and new admissions to hospital also decreased.
The vaccination programme continued to roll out across the county, with data up to week ending 1 April showing almost two thirds of eligible Cumbrians having had their first vaccine dose. The recent announcements relating to the AstraZeneca vaccine are not anticipated to significantly affect the programme.
Easing lockdown restrictions from 12 April will see non-essential retail reopen along with outdoor opening of hospitality venues. Social contact rules remain unchanged, people can still only meet in groups of up to 6 people, or two households, outdoors.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health (pictured), said: “The number of new cases remains low and that is excellent. Restrictions will ease a little more from Monday and I’d just ask people to remember to follow the social contact rules to help drive infections down even further.
“The announcements about the AstraZeneca vaccine this week may be causing some people concern, but I’d want to reassure people that the vaccine remains very safe and effective and that this is actually our medicines regulation system doing its job. Even for younger people the balance of risk is still strongly in favour of vaccination and because we have multiple different vaccines have the flexibility to tweak the programme as issues arise. If I am offered the AstraZeneca vaccine, I will certainly accept it.”
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Who's standing in the local elections?
The candidates for the local and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections on May 6, 2021 have been announced.
As well as the PCC election, in Allerdale there will be elections for:
- Aspatria ward for Allerdale Borough Council
- Christchurch ward for Allerdale Borough Council
- Ellen & Gilcrux ward for Allerdale Borough Council
- Seaton & Northside ward for Allerdale Borough Council
- St John’s ward for Allerdale Borough Council
- St John’s and Great Clifton Cumbria County Council division
- Cockermouth North Cumbria County Council division
There will also be by elections on 6 May for four Workington town council seats.
Restart grants for businesses
Along with the roadmap out of lockdown, the government promised further grants in order to support British businesses whilst they remain closed or slowly start to reopen where possible.
As of the 1st April, the Restart Grants Scheme has been in operation. This scheme is broken down into two strands and supports businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors.
The grant amounts will be a one-off payment for each eligible property, based on the rateable value.
Libraries to reopen
Message from Cumbria County Council
In line with the lifting of government restrictions on 12 April, all of Cumbria’s six main libraries and most branch libraries will be open with revised opening hours, providing a COVID-safe environment where there really is something for everyone.
This means that book browsing, borrowing and returns will be available as well as the key services that they have continued to deliver throughout lockdown - select and collect, online services and home delivery services. Other essential services can also be accessed at your library, including adult education courses and registrars.
For digital access to services we are asking customers to book in advance for access to computers to ensure the best and safest service possible.
Please check the council website for details of opening hours and available services at your local library at www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries. Our libraries have been COVID secured to ensure the safety of both our staff and customers.
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