FROM Monday comes some of the big changes the people of Crediton have been looking forward to.

These include the opening of non-essential retail including personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons and public buildings, including libraries and community centres.

Mel Stride, the MP for Central Devon told the “Courier”: “Crediton has so many wonderful local traders and now is the time to go out and support them like never before.

“Throughout lockdown the government has done whatever it can to support jobs and businesses but over the coming months as the economy opens up and businesses start to get back on their feet we must do all we can to breathe life back into our vital high street.

“So forget online shopping - let’s get out and spend spend spend locally!”

Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups) as will most outdoor attractions and settings, including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas.

Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.

Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated with table service. Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.

While funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15.

The Government has already said that foreign holidays will not be allowed until May 17 at the earliest.

It is reported that a “traffic light” system may come into force, with red, amber and green ratings for countries.

For countries under the red and amber categories, it would mean travellers will have to quarantine or isolate once they return from their holiday.

People coming back from countries in the green category will not have to quarantine or isolate, but may be required to take Covid tests before departing and returning to the UK.