Following the government’s announcement that non-essential shops can potentially reopen from 15 June, Ealing Council is working to ensure that measures are in place to make Ealing’s high streets safe for residents.
Residents continue to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid unnecessary outings and trips to their local high street. However, from the middle of the month they will have access to non-essential retail outlets such as clothing stores, charity shops and bank branches, which can reopen if COVID-19 safety and security guidelines are met.
To address the latest plans, the council is putting a number of measures in place to ensure that residents can continue to observe the government’s guidelines to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Work is under way to make the high streets safer by putting temporary pavement widening schemes and ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes in place to help residents maintain social distancing and ensure residents can travel safely while avoiding public transport.
The council is also working with the local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and other business groups to support local businesses in putting necessary measures in place to maintain safe shopping and two-metre social distancing, to ensure that those businesses that do reopen are safe for our residents.
Residents who need to shop are asked to shop locally and to travel on foot or by bicycle and avoid unnecessary journeys by car or public transport.
Councillor Jasbir Anand, the council’s cabinet member for business and community services, said: “While this is great news for local businesses to be able to roll up their shutters and resume trading, we want to ensure that those businesses that do reopen are safe places for their employees and their customers.
“Our priority is ensuring residents remain safe so it is important to only shop if necessary and stay home when you can. If you need to shop, please shop locally to support our local businesses who have been so adversely affected by the lockdown.”
For up to date information on the coronavirus this section is updated regularly.
