A police officer in Lincoln city centre. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Lincolnshire Police has urged people to behave responsibly and stick to the COVID-19 guidance this Easter weekend.
It comes after lockdown rules relaxed slightly this week, allowing for up to six people from different households to meet outdoors.
Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts also returned on March 29, but the rule of six does still apply to those settings.
People across Lincolnshire enjoyed these relaxed regulations by enjoying warm days at the beginning of the week, but officers are asking for the public to stay within the guidelines.
Some took the relaxation too far, with 35 people being fined in Cleethorpes this week after large amounts of litter were left at the North East Lincolnshire resort.
Litter in Pier Gardens in Cleethorpes. | Photo: NELC
Large numbers of people were gathered and left a mess at Lincoln Arboretum.
Now, with the weather due to turn colder over the weekend, police are encouraging people not to go indoors when meeting others, as that is still against the lockdown roadmap rules.
Chief Superintendent Paul Timmins said: “The move to reduce COVID-19 restrictions will be welcomed by some communities, but it may cause anxiety to others.
“While some areas of COVID-related enforcement the police have undertaken will cease, the message to stay local and respect government guidelines to reduce risk does not change.
“Government advice is for people to stay local and avoid unnecessary travel and I echo that request, but I am also aware that many will wish to meet with loved ones outside.
“We will maintain the approach of the 4Es to the new legislation using engagement, education and encouragement to ask members of the public to comply with the regulations.
“My hope is the public will continue to act responsibly and comply.”
The next stage of the lockdown roadmap will come into play on April 12, allowing for non-essential retail, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to reopen.
As well as this, indoor leisure such as gyms and swimming pools will reopen on April 12.
Chief Supt Timmins added: “For those making plans to meet, please make sure you adhere to the rule of six, stay local but also think about the legacy you may leave; respect our wonderful beauty spots and take your rubbish with you.
“I would also ask you to be aware of the dangers that our coastline can pose in terms of swimming and surfing in the sea.
“We all want the pandemic to be over, and the only way for us to do this is to contain the virus, wear a face covering, stay local, and to keep practicing social distancing.
“Everyone has a social responsibility play their part to prevent the virus spreading and to see us make it to step two of the Roadmap on April 12.
“Play your part and behave in a way that respects our communities and that will keep yourself and others safe.”
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There have been 88 new coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and one COVID-related death on Monday as restrictions eased across the UK as part of the PM’s roadmap out of lockdown.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard on April 12 recorded 58 new cases in Lincolnshire, 16 in North East Lincolnshire and 14 in North Lincolnshire.
On Monday, one death was recorded in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. This figure includes deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported no changes to the hospital death figures across the region, which still stands at 1,300 from a week ago.
Nationally, cases increased by 3,568 to 4,373,343, while deaths rose by 13 to 127,100.
In local news, North Kesteven has the most over 50s vaccinated with the first dose of a COVID-19 jab in Lincolnshire, whereas Boston has the least.
However, South Kesteven has the most 18 to 49 year olds vaccinated in Greater Lincolnshire with Lincoln having the least, according to research by Sky News.
There were 398 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and 10 COVID-related deaths last week — a 43% drop in cases and 23% fewer deaths compared to the previous week.
Hundreds of people queued outside Debenhams and at several barbers and salons in the city as Lincoln, and the rest of England, entered the next stage of the roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, April 12. The pubs and bars had a good day too.
The latest rules allow for the retail sector to fully reopen its doors for customers again, two weeks after the previous lockdown easing on March 29 which resumed outdoor socialising for up to six people – see the list of rules here.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Monday, April 12
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
58,722 cases (up 88)
40,909 in Lincolnshire (up 58)
9,226 in North Lincolnshire (up 14)
8,587 in North East Lincolnshire (up 16)
2,182 deaths (up one)
1,610 from Lincolnshire (up one)
304 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,300 hospital deaths (no change)
808 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
4,373,343 UK cases, 127,100 deaths
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE LATEST UPDATE. POSTCODE DATA INCLUDES DEATHS NOT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR IN HOSPITALS OUTSIDE AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES.
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