Lincolnshire Police has offered reassurance to the public that they will support the safe lifting of some of the current lockdown restrictions when new rules come into place today (Monday 12th April).

Lincolnshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Kerrin Wilson, said: "Lockdown has hit practically every aspect of life as we know it, and perhaps the hardest part has been not being able to connect with family and friends in person.

"The easing of restrictions will come as a great relief to many, and I hope the new rules, which afford us the chance to socialise safely as well as get back to doing some of the things we all took for granted, will contribute to a feeling of wellbeing for us all.

"While many of you will already be busy making plans, some of you may feel a sense of nervousness or worry about society opening back up, and we want to assure you that we are still here to protect you and enforce the rules when needed. If you plan to take advantage of hospitality venues opening, please drink responsibly and remember to arrange alternative transport home.

"The easing of restrictions does not mean that lockdown has lifted completely. It is a journey that we are all on, and to enable later restrictions to be lifted in June we must all do our bit to continue to follow the rules now. Legal limits on the number of people allowed to gather at one time remain in place, social distancing must be maintained, and masks worn in public settings such as shops or public transport to keep yourself and everyone else safe. Let's continue to be sensible and watch out for each other."

From Monday, those town enquiry offices which were temporarily closed will be reopened across the county to the public. Police volunteers (V-PCSO and other volunteers) can return to supporting police in the roles they were previously doing. This coincides with new rules which allow non-essential retail shops, hairdressers and nail salons, outdoor attractions and indoor leisure facilities to reopen, and outdoor hospitality venues to welcome customers.

Police officers and PCSOs will maintain their patrols around towns and villages, and Neighbourhood Policing teams remain available should you wish to raise concerns or report incidents of any nature. A Public Space Protection Order, which prohibits drinking alcohol in the street, also remains in place in the city of Lincoln.

The new rules from 12th April are:

non-essential retail will be able to reopen

personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons will be able to reopen

public buildings such as libraries and community centres will be able to reopen

outdoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen, with table service only

most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) will be able to reopen

some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds will be able to take place

indoor leisure and sports facilities will be able to reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble

all childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)

weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events will be able to take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens

self-contained accommodation will be able to open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubbles you should continue to minimise the amount that you travel where possible care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test) The rule of six remains for outdoor socialising, which means that group of up to size people form any number of households can meet. Children of all ages count towards the limit of six. A group of any size which is made up of two households can also meet. Each household can include an existing support bubble. People must not meet indoors with anybody they don't live with unless they are part of the same support bubble, or another legal exemption applies. For more on how we are responding the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19/