Hastings residents and visitors urged to wear face coverings

A woman wears a protective face mask. Picture: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images

The request, issued by Hastings Borough Council, comes after many of the town’s pub, hairdressers, accommodation providers and touristic attractions reopened on Saturday.

The council has also reopened the remainder of its public toilets, all its playgrounds and multi-use game facilities, as well as its West Hill cliff railway.

The council said: “With more open, including many of the town’s attractions and much of its visitor accommodation, the town is likely to be busier than it has been for some time.

“The council is once more urging residents and visitors alike to stay safe, keep social distancing and take simple precautions such as regularly washing hands.”

Following recent World Health Organisation guidance, re-enforced this week by the UK’s national academy of science – the Royal Society, the council is also urging residents to wear a face covering, if possible, when they go out and are around others.

Information about where to buy face coverings or how to make them can be found on the council’s website.

The council said it is also urging residents and visitors to follow the rules that businesses have put in place, in line with government guidance, to operate safely.

A spokesman said: “If anyone has concerns about the way a business in the town is operating, they can report them to the council via the council’s website. Large gatherings of people should be reported to Sussex Police via their website.”

Council leader Kim Forward added: “So far, as a result of all the hard work and consideration by the town’s businesses supported by the council, the re-opening of Hastings seems to have happened as safely and smoothly as possible. This is great to see, and we want it to continue.

“The localised flare ups of Covid-19 we are seeing elsewhere in the country and abroad show that the threat from this virus is still real. Social distancing, regularly washing our hands and wearing a face covering remain the most effective ways to stay safe and prevent the spread. We must continue to proceed with caution and look after each other.”