Barrow and Furness marks Freedom Day with cautious approach

Mask wearing and social distancing are no longer mandatory as the nation moved into stage 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown yesterday.

Government changes mean that mask wearing is now voluntary in all settings such as shops, pubs and restaurants and on public transport with people instead asked to exercise their own judgement.

There will be no cap on the number of people able to attend weddings or funerals with singing allowed indoors once again.

The changes also mean hospitality venues can operate without restrictions, including nightclubs, where customers can be served at the bar.

Broadway in Cavendish Street, Barrow was among a list of nightclubs which opened their doors from 12am on Monday as the rules surrounding restrictions were officially lifted.

However, establishments in the town are reminding customers not to be 'complacent', with many drinking places still exercising mask-wearing inside.

A spokesman for the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel in Barrow said: "We are not complacent and we recognise that the virus is still around us and we will be taking steps to ensure our customers and staff are kept as safe as possible.

"For now, our staff will continue to wear masks. Whilst all the staff are tested regularly, we can't be too careful and we want our customers to know that we're placing their welfare uppermost."

Some businesses have taken an even more cautious approach, choosing not to swing open their doors at all despite the Government green light.

Italian restaurant Salvanas in Cavendish Street will remain as a takeaway only until they feel confident they can 'protect themselves'.

A spokesman said: "As a small business, we need to look after each other and each other's family's and for a number of reasons we feel the health and wellbeing of all our team if best preserved by making this decision.

"Cases of Covid are rising rapidly in our area, leaving us in a somewhat vulnerable position."

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, is also urging the public to 'remain cautious' despite the end of the majority of restrictions.

He said: "This is a hugely important day – the end of the majority of restrictions that we have lived under for the last year.

"That we are here is testament to the hard work of local people in sticking by the guidelines and restrictions, and the incredible vaccine programme which has meant that two thirds of all adults in the UK now have some form of COVID antibodies.

"However, the virus isn’t gone – I’d ask people to remain cautious and to think of their and their friends’ and familes’ safety in the weeks and months ahead."

The leader of Barrow Borough Council, councillor Ann Thomson, has urged the community to pull together and look after one another as the legal restrictions come to an end.

She said: “Freedom Day is something we’ve all been looking forward to since the start of the pandemic last year. We want to be able to spend time with family and friends, to go out and enjoy our fantastic hospitality businesses and not to have to miss any more birthdays or special occasions.

“But while legal restrictions are removed from today, guidance is still in place and is something we need to pay close attention to.

“We all want to see normality resume after the sacrifices we have all made over the past 16 months.

“However, the virus is still with us and we need to remain cautious on behalf of ourselves, our loved ones and our fellow residents. Please consider those throughout our communities who may still be vulnerable to the virus in the choices you make every day."