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Enjoy the outdoors but be tick aware this summer
Link to tick awareness – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/
You and your family may be out enjoying the Devon countryside more often now it’s the school holidays but be aware, you could be exposed to ticks.
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of animals, including people. They mainly live in woodland, grassy areas, moors, heaths and even urban parks or gardens.
Always check your family for ticks when you’ve been in one of these area and if you find any, remove them safely using a tick removal tool or fine tipped tweezers as soon as possible because ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease.
Contact your GP if you have been bitten by a tick and you get:
flu-like symptoms – such as feeling hot and shivery, headaches, aching muscles or feeling sick, or
a circular red rash like the one in the link.
Face Coverings Become Mandatory In All Shops and Retail Premises
Being socially responsible
From Friday, July 24, Government COVID-19 legislation changes mean it is mandatory to wear a face covering in all shops and retail premises.
The measure will see all shops able to prevent entry to the premises to anyone not wearing a face covering.
The new measure will see police given powers to issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone refusing to comply with the legislation, although Devon & Cornwall Police will be adopting an educate, engage and encourage approach with enforcement as a final option.
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “The Government has announced the change to COVID-19 legislation in order to further protect the public and those working in retail premises from being exposed to the pandemic.
“As lockdown measures ease there is a need for us all to be socially responsible and play our part in reducing COVID risk and protecting each other as much as possible.
“Our approach will be similar to that already seen with face coverings being mandatory for those travelling on public transport.
“We will be engaging and educating the public with enforcement as a final option. It is disappointing if my officers are having to give a £100 fixed penalty notice to any member of the public for refusing to comply with the legislation.
“My hope is that everyone will be socially responsible and play their part in keeping our residents and many tourists in our region safe.”
Devon & Cornwall Police has been talking to businesses and traders throughout the last week to ensure support is given to the economy in the region as it begins to re-open following lockdown.
Visitor numbers across the region are seeing considerable increases as the peninsula’s shops, pubs, holiday parks and campsites have re-opened.
ACC Mayhew added: “It’s important we support our economy as it looks to restart and we come together as communities at a critically important time for the tourist industry.
“But that needs to be done safely. Many of our businesses have taken extraordinary measures to increase safety to the public, and wearing a face covering is the next step to reducing risk.
“COVID has not gone away and the responsibility for wearing a face covering sits with an individual.
“We know shops have already been managing customers effectively, so we hope everyone will adapt to the new measure and play their part in a creating a safer society.”
A Message from Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer – Come Back Safely and Respect Our Communities
We must continue to follow Government advice
Devon & Cornwall Police is preparing for an influx of visitors this weekend as lockdown restrictions ease and the hospitality industry reopens.
But the message to those living and coming to our region is clear – come back safely and respect our communities.
Throughout the last week there has been reports of a surge in bookings across hotels, bed and breakfasts and campsites, combined with the re-opening of the day and night time economy on Saturday, July 4.
Devon & Cornwall Police has been anticipating the demand and planning extensively with partners throughout the lockdown period for the re-opening of our region.
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, “I know that our world class tourism and hospitality industry has been decimated by the COVID pandemic and there is a desperate need to welcome tourists back to our peninsula and islands.
“But this needs to be done safely and appreciating the fears our resident communities may have with many thousands of people coming back to our region – with the health concerns this may bring.
“We follow Government advice and guidance as to what is safe, but we would ask all people – whether you are a visitor, resident or business – to be respectful and begin to enjoy parts of life none of us has experienced since the end of March.”
Demand on police and other emergency services is expected to see a considerable increase from this weekend and for the rest of the summer season – likely to stretch well into September.
Devon and Cornwall sees the second highest tourism surge in population, behind London, during the summer months with demand on policing up by 20 per cent in terms of emergency and non-emergency calls.
Officers, staff and volunteers will be prioritising this increased demand according to threat, risk and harm – some less urgent matters may take longer to attend.
The last week in Devon & Cornwall has seen a number of incidents of large gatherings, particularly in coastal and waterside areas, with reports of drink related anti-social behaviour and crime as a result.
There will be more officers on patrol throughout the region with greater visibility and reassurance to communities throughout the summer period.
Chief Constable Sawyer added: “Our licensed and hospitality industry will re-open on Saturday, but it will be a very different experience for those going to a pub or restaurant.
“I strongly encourage you to book your visit and you may be restricted to limited time within an establishment. We want people to enjoy that experience, but we cannot tolerate scenes like we have witnessed in Exmouth and on Plymouth’s Barbican in the last week.
“All people have a duty to drink responsibly, adhere to social distancing and not fight or commit criminal damage simply because we are coming out of lockdown. We will take proactive action against any drink related disorder and would ask people to think seriously about their actions.
“I wholly welcome a £500,000 investment by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to give support to 20 locations across the force aimed at reducing drink related anti-social behaviour – providing elements such as extra street warden security, public toilets and CCTV monitoring.
“And if you are going to a beach or beauty spot, park considerately and think about the legacy you may leave. We have seen many tonnes of rubbish left on coastline and country parks during the last week which is inexcusable – respect our wonderful region and take your rubbish away.
“I would also ask you respect the dangers that our coastline can pose in terms of swimming and surfing in the sea.”
Chief Constable Sawyer said: “I have no doubt we are going to be challenged by the numbers of vehicles on our road network this weekend and during the coming weeks – including abandoned vehicles on our roads. I would ask people drive safely and do not become a fatal or seriously injured statistic on our roads.
“If you are coming to Devon, Cornwall, Torbay, Plymouth or the Isles of Scilly, we welcome you as a responsible citizen, but please be aware COVID has not gone away.
“Social distancing still needs to be observed and everyone must play there part to prevent the virus spreading and not bring more misery upon our communities.
“Play your part and behave in a way that respects our communities, supports the local economy, but ultimately keep yourself and others safe.”
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