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The Prime Minister’s announcement this week heralded the biggest changes in restrictions since the start of the lockdown. But while we enjoy more of the freedoms many of us previously took for granted, please remember, this isn’t over. Although the risk from coronavirus is now much lower, it’s still there. If you’re out and about enjoying the best of what Devon has to offer this weekend, make sure you continue to follow the important public health advice.

One of the bright things to have come out of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the overwhelming number of amazing people and groups doing inspiring things for others in their communities. We could fill a book with examples of projects and actions that groups and individuals have told us about, and the work they’re doing locally. Local community groups and individuals, friends and neighbours – we’ve all got a part to play in helping each other as we ease safely towards a return to normality.

This week we’ve taken a step forward again in our road to a safe recovery. We’ve seen more children returning to schools; some of us can form a ‘support bubble’ with another household from tomorrow, and from Monday, shops selling non-essential products can reopen. These are important steps, but they must also be steps that we take with care.

Listening to colleagues in health and social care today, they were reminding us about how important those earlier messages still are, even though restrictions are easing. These messages may be old now, but still important and worth remembering and repeating as we take each step.

Returning to some semblance of normal is going to be a difficult and slow process. Getting people back to work and school is vital for our wellbeing, our children’s education and our economy – but it must be done safely. We’ve been supporting schools to help them begin to open their doors to more pupils this week, libraries have a phased reopening planned from next week, and local businesses and high streets are making preparations in line with the government’s new ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidance for retailers.

Among all the goodwill and neighbourliness in our communities, there was a stark reminder this week that there are always some people who will try to take advantage of other’s vulnerability. Warnings from the Police and Trading Standards of a scam followed reports of people receiving telephone calls from someone pretending to be from the NHS Test and Trace team, wanting to fool them into paying money for a test kit. We feature that story below.

As the strict lockdown measures introduced back in March begin to ease further, we face new challenges in trying to get life back to some sort of normal.

Our schools are starting the slow process of getting some children back to the classroom to learn this week and people who were told they are clinically extremely vulnerable can enjoy some time outside their homes so long as they are careful and follow the guidance.

We’ve seen another significant moment this week with the launch today of the NHS Test and Trace service. This, fast on the heels of the announcement last Friday that local councils will be at the forefront in responding to local outbreaks, in order to control infection and ensure that the public can be protected from further spread.
The two are complementary, and are vital steps in our recovery and return to more normal lives.

We’re helping develop local track and trace plans; Big boost for Devon’s economic recovery; Devon’s carbon emissions have fallen by nearly a quarter; Stay alert, stay safe and think twice this weekend; Celebrate Eid safely and do you know someone who deserves an honour?

As we adjust to a very different way of living, being kind to each other and to ourselves has never been more important. We know from research that kindness and our mental health are profoundly connected. It strengthens relationships, develops community connections and deepens solidarity.

We’ve seen some changes this week. Recycling centres have started to reopen in a limited way; we’ve moved from staying at home, to staying alert, and since Wednesday we’ve been allowed more exercise and travel.
Unlike lockdown, which came quite suddenly, the re-starting of things has to be a gradual process. Relatively simple announcements – some schools will open from June 1, for example – need a lot of consideration and planning to ensure that these things happen safely.