Residents and businesses in Cheshire are responding to the council’s call for caution following a relaxation of COVID restrictions last week and the move to step 4 today, 19 July.
Businesses in Chester have once again shown solidarity by releasing statements on social media informing customers they intend to remain cautious, despite the relaxation of restrictions as of today.
In England, while the requirement to wear masks in shops and enclosed business spaces is no longer legally required as of today, official guidance states that people are still “expected” to wear masks in crowded places.
SHORT + STOUT, an Independent popular café serving speciality coffees, loose-leaf teas, homemade food and cakes in Hoole, Chester, Cheshire, posted a statement on social media pointing out seating arrangements and social etiquette for their customers.
On Facebook, a spokesperson stated:
As of tomorrow, the legal rules are changing however we have made the decision to continue with the existing rules that are in place for your and the team’s safety. Our staff will continue to wear a mask, although we won’t be enforcing customers to wear one we encourage you to. We will not be adding the tables that we removed just yet to continue with social distancing the best that we can. Although you do not need to check in anymore we will leave the QR code at the door should you wish to. And lastly, we will continue to do table service as we have always done. Please let us know if you have any queries or questions.
Team Short + Stout
Additionally, My Funny Valentine Bridal boutique in the heart of Chester, which operates only by appointment, posted a notice on their social media account regarding their decision to remain alert in solidarity with Chester businesses.
On Facebook, a spokesperson stated:
Today is the day we have all been waiting for, as England eases covid-19 restrictions. As a small business, as excited as we are for things to be opening up again, we want to ensure that both our staff and visitors are safe when visiting the boutique. As well as ensuring everyone remains safe, with track and trace now being such a huge part of our lives, as a business we want to remain open so that we can keep serving our lovely brides! For that reason:
We will give our visitors the choice of whether they wish to wear a face mask, however as we work very closely with all of our brides we will continue to wear a mask for appointments. We will continue to ask all visitors to hand sanitise on arrival at the boutique. We will be keeping our guest policy to a maximum of three guests per bride. We understand that this may be frustrating for our brides with larger bridal parties, however, we feel with the ongoing track and trace system, and the space we have for guests this is the best and safest option. We will continue to run a limited appointment schedule so that we can ensure the boutique can be cleaned in between appointments. We hope everyone understands why we need to keep some restrictions in place, however, if you are a bride visiting us please be assured that you will still have the most magical bridal experience! Here’s to a brighter future Team MFV x
Businesses have been waiting so long for restrictions to be eased by the government. Many have temporarily closed in response to the rise in COVID infections, many businesses feel now is not the right time to lose guard or become complacent.
Several business owners worry that without standardized guidelines across the country for staff to work within, the rules will be completely out of sync, which may result in confusion for the public.
For the latest information and advice on the move to Step 4, testing, vaccinations and self-isolation support, go to the council’s Covid-19 webpage.
