Thanks to all who made it work

It’s different to life as we once knew it, that’s for sure, but I think most people are just happy to be able to see family and friends, visit play areas, pubs and restaurants and get their hair cut – all from a safe distance of course, writes John Holdich, leader of Peterborough City Council.

Lots of people visited pubs, bars and restaurants last weekend for the first time in more than 100 days and I am pleased to say that the majority acted responsibly.

I’d like to thank everyone who visited our city centre for their actions and to the managers of the venues who have put so much work in to help make social distancing easy and simple to follow.

Although the lockdown restrictions are gradually being lifted, it is really important that we all take action to keep ourselves safe and to ensure we can continue moving towards a more normal life.

We have all played our part in reducing the transmission of coronavirus and by taking care of ourselves and each other, fatalities and infection rates Peterborough have continued to fall.

This week we’ve launched a new campaign called Keep Caring which urges everyone in the city to keep following the rules, reminding that coronavirus hasn’t gone away.

The campaign outlines the simple things we can all do that have a big impact, such as keeping your distance - inside or outside - and staying isolated if you think you’ve got symptoms or have been close to someone who has. It also urges people to cover their face - as even with no symptoms you might still spread the virus - and to wash your hands regularly when you enter or leave a new place.

People are also being encouraged to support local businesses and shop local – after a tough few months for all our businesses this is really important – and to be considerate of the environment by disposing of waste responsibly, for example.

The pandemic has brought out the best in many of us and it is the public who have reduced the transmission of coronavirus so far.

But this caring can’t stop now, as the most important thing we can continue to do is to stay alert, control the virus, and, in doing so, save more lives.

Please support our campaign by sharing messages, but most importantly by continuing to follow the rules.

You might remember that we suspended parking charges during lockdown to help critical workers and keep the roads free for emergency vehicles and essential deliveries.

As lockdown has gradually eased and Peterborough is opening up again, parking restrictions will be going back to how they operated previously from Monday in all council-owned city centre car parks and on-street pay and display parking bays across the city. Queensgate will begin charging for parking again on the same day.

Although cash machines will still be operational at each car park, which will be cleaned daily, people are being encouraged to either use the PayByPhone app to pay for their parking charges, or by dialling the PayByPhone service number on the side of the car park machine. Both are touch-free methods of payment.

If using the cash machines, residents are encouraged to wash their hands, or use alcohol sanitiser before and after using and to practise social distancing when queuing at these sites.

NHS workers can also apply for a free parking permit to help them carry out the vital work they are doing. You can find out more at www.gov.uk (full link for online -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-health-care-and-volunteer-workers-parking-pass-and-concessions/covid-19-health-care-and-volunteer-workers-parking-pass-and-concessions

And finally, look out for some exciting news next week about our new university.

The Combined Authority and the city council will be announcing the higher education provider we will be working with to deliver a new employment focused university for Peterborough.

One of my greatest ambitions as leader of the council is to see a dedicated university for Peterborough so it’s really exciting news for me personally.

You can rest assured the council will continue to work hard to keep services going, its residents safe and well and to keep the city moving.