BUSINESSES will be given a helping hand to ensure they have social distancing measures in place when they come to reopen.
Worcestershire County Council is looking at ways it can assist firms to open their doors safely again to get the economy moving.
One suggestion is businesses using pavements to increase their floor space, giving people a bigger area to stay two metres apart.
This concept will be suitable for pedestrianised zones, have wide footways and on boulevards, although councillors admitted it would not be suitable for all Worcestershire shopping areas.
Coun Alan Amos, the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways said: “We need to restore people’s freedom to go shopping again.
“We are discussing the practicalities of using pavements to increase floor space with all the appropriate bodies.
“Our first priority is people’s safety.
“We will continuing working through this idea and share with businesses when we have finalised all the arrangements.”
It comes amidst the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday that all non-essential shops may be able to start trading again on June 15.
It would be conditional on the progress of the fight against Covid-19 and the death and infection rates.
The number of Coronavirus deaths in the UK rose by 121 yesterday to 36,914.
