South Yorkshire residents 'following lockdown rules'

NHS England’s medical director has warned now is not the time to get complacent, as he urged people to continue to follow government guidance to stay at home.

Google's figures, which use location data to chart trends in people's movement, show footfall at retail and recreation establishments fell by 86 per cent in South Yorkshire in the six weeks to the end of March compared with two months earlier.

This was slightly better than the UK average, with shop visits down by 85 per cent compared with a previous five-week period at the start of the year.

The British Independent Retailers Association said many successful businesses were fighting for survival, predicting consumers’ increased use of online shopping is here to stay.

Andrew Goodacre, BIRA chief executive officer, said independent shops have had to show great resilience and flair, utilising online deliveries to stay in business.

He said: “However, we are also seeing many more previously successful businesses closed down and fighting for survival.

“It is good to see the government initiatives that have been taken, but we are concerned the support is not reaching the retailer quick enough.”

Though there is no fixed date for when the lockdown will end and social distancing rules relaxed, Mr Goodacre said habits have already been formed and internet sales will continue to trump the High Street.

He said, where once they represented 20 per cent of all retail sales, they now make up 85 per cent and are “unlikely to come down quickly after the crisis”.

Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said we are ‘continuing to see people adhering’ to government policy – particularly on public transport.

He said: “The sun might be out, but that doesn’t mean you should be out. We all need to make sure we resist the temptation, whatever the weather.

“We need to continue to comply with the instructions, because that will continue to translate into a reduction in the number of hospitalisations.”