This week, we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel, with the Government’s roadmap showing how the country will be progressively released from lockdown in four stages from 8 March to 21 June. This unlocking has only been made possible by the successful rollout of the UK vaccination programme, which by the time this article is in print will have jabbed 18 million people, around 27 per cent of the population and representing over 1 in 3 of all adults. Encouraging data from Edinburgh University recently showed that within four weeks of a single jab from the Pfizer and Oxford vaccine, hospitalisation risk is reduced by up to 85 per cent and 94 per cent, respectively.
I welcome this unlocking which has only been made possible by these major efforts from our healthcare workers and the pharmaceutical industry. Whilst I understand that it will seem slow or cautious to many, the plans do finally provide some much-needed clarity for parents, headteachers and businesses. For hard-hit sectors in West Sussex like beauty, hospitality, tourism and aviation the re-opening is a glimmer of life at the end of a long, dark tunnel and cannot come a day too soon.
A big moment will be the 12 April when ‘non-essential’ retail will be allowed to open, personal care premises such as hairdressers and gyms will be accessible, and hospitality venues will be able to begin serving people outside in the fresh air and spring sunshine.
However, I still feel the pain of others for whom the last year has been a nightmare, in particular the wedding and events management industry. On the 12 April Weddings will only increase to 15 attendees. For them, the full unlocking from 21 June is still uncomfortably far off and will miss the early part of the 2021 wedding season.
I have raised examples of our excellent local venues such as the Fitzleroi Barn near Pulborough, Cissbury Barn in Findon, and Pangdean Barn in Pyecombe with ministers. In October I pointed out in Parliament that a restaurant could at that time host as many diners as was covid-compliant, unless there were a bride and groom present, as wedding receptions were restricted to 15.
To help give voice to the unique pressures being faced by the weddings and events management industry, I will be hosting a virtual roundtable in the coming weeks to listen to their concerns and represent their views. If this is your business, please contact me to join in.
