Full guidance for Sheffield shoppers ahead of June 15 reopening

Sheffield City Council says it has been working with retailers to ensure people stay safe and socially distance as stores reawaken across the city on Monday (June 15).

Measures include ‘city ambassadors’ who will patrol the streets offering advice, new pedestrianised areas and the opening of public toilets in the Peace Gardens.

To help minimise the spread of coronavirus as the economy kicks into gear again, the authority has released this list of pointers for shoppers:

TIMING YOUR VISIT

If you can, you should visit the city centre at quieter times.

These are 9am-11pm and 3pm-5pm.

SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES

Digital boards, floor stickers and posters will be displayed to remind people to stay apart and adhere to social distancing guidelines as they move around the city centre.

Key areas such as the Moor will have clearways marked out in yellow to separate areas for walking and queueing.

The Council has been working with retailers to create one way queuing systems in shops, ensuring that they meet Covid-19 guidelines.

HELP AND GUIDANCE

City centre ‘ambassadors’ will be on hand to assist and help with any queries or issues. Look out for their distinctive red jackets around the city centre.

TRAVELLING INTO THE CITY CENTRE

The Council is encouraging everyone who can to travel into the city centre by walking, cycling or any other form of active travel.

You should only use a car if you have to and use public transport as a last resort.

Free key worker parking ends in Council car parks on the June 15, so charges will once again apply for parking at these sites.

PEDESTRIANSED AREAS

The Council are implementing a variety of measures across the city to ensure safe social distancing and encourage walking and cycling.

This includes the closure of Pinstone Street to all traffic except pedestrians and cyclists.

Division Street will also be partly pedestrianised from Westfield Terrace to Rockingham Street (between the Frog and Parrot and the Great Gatsby.)

Sections of footpath on Division Street will also be widened to support social distancing.

As part of the Pinstone Street scheme, diversions will be in place for some buses that normally travel through the city centre.

More information is available at travelsouthyorkshire.com.

HAND WASHING AND HYGIENE

The Council will be carrying out additional cleaning in public areas including the regular sanitizing of benches.

Hand sanitiser stations will also be available across the city centre for you to use, so you should do this regularly and avoid touching your face.

Temporary toilets will also be available in the Peace Gardens, with attendants on hand at all times to manage queues.

The toilets will be cleaned frequently and sterilised, with hand sanitizer provided in each cubicle. Toilets will also be available in the Moor Market.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council said: “We know how important it is for businesses in Sheffield to start trading again, and we’re working with them to ensure that it is safe, for their staff and customers, to reopen.

“Social distancing prompts have been installed across the city centre and whether it’s for work or to shop, I must ask everyone visiting to adhere to the guidelines set out by the Government. It may feel like normality is resuming in some areas of life, but we must not become complacent in protecting ourselves from coronavirus

“I understand how challenging this period has been for our retailers and small businesses, and we are doing everything possible to support them in rebuilding their business and restoring Sheffield’s retail offer. This is the vital first step in restarting our economy, but as we begin to welcome visitors back to the city centre, safety must continue to be our priority.”

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