Additional changes to Wokingham town centre
It’s fantastic seeing you returning to the borough’s main retail areas. Along with the businesses we thank you for sticking to the new shopping guidance and showing compassion to one another.
Businesses in Woodley and Twyford have told us they don’t need us to change their roads to create larger footpaths but we’ll continue to liaise with them just in case.
However this weekend, in Wokingham town centre, we’re going to make some additional changes narrowing Wiltshire Road (Sat) and Rectory Road (Sun) to single lanes to give you more space walking in.
And we’re also trialling a temporary closure of Denmark Street, on 3 and 4 July, to help you on foot and give restaurants and cafes the choice for outside seating.
One in three adults targeted by Covid-19 scammers
This is nationally since lockdown began, says Citizens Advice.
Scammers see this pandemic as just another opportunity. Topics include bogus testing kits, vaccinations and government refunds.
Certain people are also more likely to be targeted: if you’ve a disability or long-term illness, you’ve an increased risk of coronavirus or are shielding, or if you’ve lost your income because of the virus.
For more information about Covid-19 scams and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed visit the Citizens Advice website.
Please be careful out there...
Following the government’s announcement this week about further lockdown easing from 4 July, some people may feel they don’t need to wait until then. Sadly we saw this yesterday on Bournemouth and other beaches.
While in some ways this is a natural reaction after being cooped up for so long, Covid-19 is still lurking, waiting for a lapse in our behaviours to infect and spread again. It knows we’re desperate to socialise, go out and about, and do things.
This is why it’s crucial we follow the current lockdown rules until the 4th and after that stick to the new ones.
Helping hand for hospitality
If you’re a hospitality business getting ready to open safely and compliant from 4 July, the local Public Protection Partnership (PPP) can help.
It has an online questionnaire so it can tailor its support for you. If you could complete it as soon as possible that would be great as the closing date was due to be today but there is some leeway.
On its website it also has a general reopening toolkit with useful links and other information including downloadable signage. The site is updated as soon as new government guidance is released.
You can also follow the PPP's social media for the latest announcements, and it can email you if you give it your contact details.
If your business hasn’t been open for some time, check out the PPP’s advice on the precautions you should take to avoid legionella infections.
And of course if you’d like pre and post-opening visits from Licensing and Environmental Health Officers for support and reassurance, the PPP can arrange this.
The PPP is a shared service between us and Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire Councils.
How Covid-19 is affecting our services
Advice and help for local businesses during Covid-19
Wokingham Borough Community Response
Public Health England and Department of Health and Social Care guidance
NHS England advice
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