Gainsborough market is getting ready to welcome back its traders

Health bosses are confident plans are in place for the re-opening of the county’s economy as shops and markets begin welcoming customers again.

More businesses have been opening their doors again to customers after a long period of closure.

And West Lindsey District Council will soon be inviting traders back to their regular events in Gainsborough.

A West Lindsey District Council spokesman said: “We are very much looking forward to the time when we can welcome back all non-essential retail to our communities.

"As a council, we have supported our market traders as much as possible, including by providing free-rent on all market stalls in Gainsborough, and we want nothing more than to see our community markets and traders thrive and prosper.”

Derek Ward, director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council, said partners in the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum had been planning for months.

He said: “We have a whole stream about recovery purely focused on making sure we get businesses up and running and schools open and do so in a safe and measured way.

“So I’m confident that we’ve got the infrastructure in place to do that.

“Obviously it comes down to individual behaviours as well.”

Mr Ward joked that he was a “broken record” but urged people to maintain social distancing rules in order to “significantly reduce” the risk and protect themselves.

He added: “It gives them protection from potentially having to isolate for 14 days if they were in close contact of a confirmed case, because if you maintain that distance, you won’t be classified as a close contact.

“We’ve got to get the economy started I understand that, it’s the same argument in schools, we need to educate children.”

Shoppers have been advised that if they don’t feel comfortable with entering a business due to the number of people or lack of space inside, to consider leaving and coming back again during a quieter period or using alternative methods such as online shopping.