If there are finer counties in England than Leicestershire and Rutland, I have yet to find them. Our counties are not just great places to live in, but also offer the visitor a wealth of opportunities for fun and relaxation. That is why I am urgjng everyone to help tourism bounceback following reopening on 4th July.
The Conservative Government of Boris Johnson has announced tourism and visitor attractions will reopen in England from 4 July. There are hundreds of businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland that will benefit, helping to safeguard jobs and local prosperit.
This has been a challenging three months. Thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of the British people, we are bringing coronavirus under control and meeting the five tests set out by the Government needed for the safe reopening of parts of our economy. The Prime Minister has therefore set out further changes to lockdown measures in England, to ensure people can see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back to the jobs they love.
As part of this careful easing, from Saturday 4 July, pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to Covid Secure guidelines, and some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen if they can do so safely.
I am urging people to show their support to businesses reopening in our City and two counties to help them bounce back.
The Government will also be publishing detailed guidance to help tourist attractions and accommodation venues to re-open safely, such as by social distancing and cleaning protocols. A new industry standard will also be introduced by Visit England, so that the public can easily see if the venue is carrying out the new rules.
While the infection rate continues to fall, the Prime Minister has been clear that the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control. The Government will keep all measures under constant review.
Thanks to the efforts of the British people to control the virus, I am delighted we have created the space to allow people to take a much needed holiday and enjoy everything our area has to offer.
I hope people get out to support the tourism and hospitality businesses which are reopening and which are so vital to our local economy and jobs.
Safety is of paramount importance and it is vital that social distancing rules and safety guidance are adhered to, and local people as well as our guests feel safe and I will continue to press that.
The Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden has told me “This is a significant moment for the UK’s fantastic tourism and hospitality businesses and the bounce back can now begin on July 4th. Across the country people have been looking forward to taking a day trip, weekend break or staycation following their efforts in lockdown over the past three months. Britain deserves a break and I hope people get out, support tourism businesses and enjoy a break safely.”
Photo: Normanton Church Museum, Rutland Water, By NotFromUtrecht - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9707398
