NON-ESSENTIAL shops reopened in Droitwich town centre yesterday.
There were signs everywhere. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2620002MMR3
Visitors flocked to go to some of the stores they had not been able to visit since March, when the Government’s lockdown restrictions were brought in.
And, with the re-openings, there were new signs in place, reminding people to ensure they adhered to the two-metre social distancing regulations.
People queued outside shops and took care to observe the rules.
Socially distanced queues. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2620002MMR1
Other advice included for people to wear masks, although that was not compulsory, and for people to use contactless payments where possible to avoid shoppers and store staff having to handle cash.
On Sunday on the eve of the reopening, Coun Richard Morris on Twitter urged people to ‘shop local’ and support stores like Brown and Fincher on Droitwich High Street.
Many businesses, particularly traditional ones, have been hit hard during the Coronavirus pandemic where many have been visiting supermarkets for most of their goods or shopping online to get deliveries straight to their homes.
Peacocks was one of the shops which had re-opened for the first time since the lockdown. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2620002MMR4
Also yesterday, masks and face coverings were made compulsory on public transport.
People were warned they could be refused travel or face fines if they did not have masks or coverings with them.
Where possible, people should avoid public transport and use alternative methods, such as walking, cycling or even driving, to get to where they want to go.
The advice was all part of the Government’s plans to reduce the dangers of spreading the virus whilst returning some normality to people’s everyday lives.
Did you go to Droitwich Spa town centre on Monday? Which shops have you missed? What was the atmosphere like? Were the social distancing signs and measures working well? Email your views to [email protected]
