SOME greeted the lifting of restrictions on Monday, July 19 with delight, others with caution, as the country takes a bold leap towards ‘freedom’.

For a number of businesses the lifting of restrictions has posed logistical issues.

The ReFill shop in Bude felt it would be ‘irresponsible’ to abandon all safety measures and vowed to continue in order to keep visitors safe.

They said: “With surging infections, government u-turns and the recent ‘pingdemic’ chaos, it feels irresponsible for ReFill to abandon biosecurity measures as the holiday season begins — vaccine or no.”

Face covering will be required in store, however: “If you’ve decided not to wear one or are exempt, that’s no problem — let us shop for you.”

Others have implemented similar initiatives and are keeping their masks on despite the change in legislation.

Jade Harvey, owner of Let’s Get Naked Refill in Launceston, said: “As much as I’d love life without wearing a mask again (feels like a distant memory) for the safety of my customers I will continue to wear a mask so you still feel welcome and safe.

“Customers can come in with or without a mask, I just ask to please respect other customers space whilst in store.”

Bigger chain stores like Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons and Lidl have also confirmed tht although not mandatory they too will still ‘encourage’ shoppers to wear a mask whilst in-store.

It is not just local stores that are being effected though. There has also been a huge focus in light of restrictions easing on the reopening of pubs and nightclubs.

BED in Bude has stated it will not be requesting proof of vaccination or a negative test on entry. Masks will not be compulsory inside the venue or on the dance floor however, those that choose to wear one can do so. They said: “The large majority of our guests will not have been offered the chance to become fully vaccinated.

“Sadly COVID will not disappear after July 19. We have state of the art air flow and filtration systems in our venue that helps refresh the venues air. We will continue to run strict cleaning procedures to help sanitise all services and stations across our venue, along with offering stations for hand sanitiser for our guests and team members.”

Pubs have been hit hard by the restrictions over the past year, with many keen to open up again.

The Old Inn in St Breward has confirmed that although they cannot enforce mask wearing, they would request customers continue to wear masks ‘for the time being’. They have also decided to allow bar stools to be placed back in the main bar area.

However, this will not be the case in The White Hart Hotel in Holsworthy which has decided against bar stool service ‘to protect our team’.

There seems to be a general consensus amongst local people that although it may be ‘too soon’ to be lifting restrictions, with COVID numbers still rising, many will be acting accordingly and continuing to follow guidance previously in place.

Steph Lyons of Morwenstow said: “Personally I will still wear a mask when in a busy area, hopefully everyone will still act responsibly as still a lot of venerable people who need our help to protect them even if they have had two jabs.”

Michael Carpenter of Launceston felt it was time the people were given the opportunity to exercise their own ‘common sense’. They said: “I’m pleased that at last we have the option to use our discretion and basic common sense. I will continue to wear mine where it’s appropriate”

However one lady felt the lifting of restrictions was happening far too soon and warned that the impending school holidays would lead to a lack of social distancing. She said: “Speaking for myself it’s far to soon, especially with the infection rates rocketing. Personally I think we are heading for another lockdown.

“Now school holidays are here and holiday makers will be coming, there will be no social distancing. All caution goes out the window when you have been drinking, sorry but that’s how I feel.”

In agreement, a gentleman vowed to continue wearing a mask and sanitising with the hope that others would too. He said: “On the basis that coronavirus is still as prevalent as it was 18 months ago and albeit many millions have been vaccinated, in my opinion it is still too soon to assume you can do what you like, when you like then a most certainly yes I will be wearing a mask and hand sanitising for the foreseeable future.”