People across the country eagerly anticipated the details of Boris Johnson’s roadmap for easing Covid restrictions in England on Monday evening.

The roadmap was broken up into stages with 8 March marking stage one, which will see the reopening of all schools and colleges.

Depending on infection rates and the success of each stage, formally organised outdoor sports can take place again from the 29 March, Hairdressers and barbers will be able to open on 12 April, and hospitality venues will be able to seat customers indoors from 17 May.

Businesses and sports clubs in the area have been reacting to the news.

Director and Club Chairman of Whitehaven AFC, Luke Johnston, said: “We are still waiting for official confirmation from the FA on the finer details of the return to football but welcome the governments announcement yesterday.

“Football has a huge impact on both physical and mental health.

“We have a designated Covid-19 Officer who’s responsibility is keeping an eye on latest guidance, looking after our risk assessment and ultimately ensuring that we operate in the safest way possible.

“The FA are looking to extend the league beyond the usual season which we also welcome to get the fixtures played.”

Although pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues have been told they won’t be able to seat customers indoors until the 17 May, they might be able to serve people outdoors from the 12 April.

Again, this will be dependant on the rate of infection at the time and the impact of stages that come before.

The owner of the Castle Knights pub in Whitehaven, Kelly Gribbin, said: “It’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Until everyone has had jabs, I think it is better to wait and open safely so that we don’t have another lockdown.

“It will be okay having people back in the beer garden as long as the sun is shining, but if we have a spell of bad weather, we’ll be sending customers home. I think it will be hard keeping people from coming inside if it begins to rain.

“I just can’t wait for the day when we can open fully.”

Since Monday evening, local hairdressers have been flooded with inquiries from people who have been deprived of a much needed haircut during lockdown.

“I know everyone is desperate to get a haircut, but we’re just going to have to wait and ride it out,” said the owner of New Seville Barbers in Whitehaven,Tina Cameron.

“I’ve said that I’m going to wait until the 1 April before I start taking any bookings. Hopefully then, I will have more confirmation from the Government as to when I can start taking appointments again.

“I want this to be the last lockdown and I think its important that we take things slowly and ease everyone back in."

To find out more about the Governments proposed roadmap for cautiously easing lockdown restrictions in England, visit www.gov.uk.