West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed news that the Government has eased coronavirus lockdown restrictions in some areas from July 4, allowing people to be able to socialise more and freeing up more businesses to trade next month.

The news will be especially welcome to the hospitality businesses who have lobbied Harriett for this change and the teachers who have reported that a two metre contract restriction makes a wider return to schools very difficult.

The announcement means that people are advised to stay two metres apart where possible but the new guidance is that this is now halved to one metre in July.

Weddings of up to 30 people can now go ahead and conditions are relaxed to allow families to see each other in their homes.

Harriett commented: “Local people have done an amazing job helping to restrict the spread of the virus and protect our HNS and now the conditions are right to help more businesses to open and people to enjoy more personal freedoms.

“It has been two weeks since a new case has been detected in West Worcestershire and I hope that this guidance helps schools to operate better and welcome more pupils back.

“This will mean also mean our pubs, restaurants and tourist destinations are able to operate and hopefully this will ensure many jobs are saved.

“Many of us will welcome the news that hairdressers are opening up and I’m sure they will be very busy as soon as these new conditions come into force.

“This advice still requires us all to be vigilant and sensible because the virus still has not gone away completely. However, I am convinced this new guidance will be welcomed by people across West Worcestershire who have made huge sacrifices to protect themselves and each other during this terrible time of global pandemic.”