LOCKDOWN restrictions have been relaxed but things are far from being back to normal.

It’s why we’re all being urged to use common sense now the public is allowed to spend more time away from home for shopping, work and exercise, particularly this weekend with nice weather predicted and people desperate to get outside Dorset Police has joined forces with partner agencies to ask the public to act responsibly and ‘think twice’ before travelling to Dorset.

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “We had an important part to play when the Government locked down the country to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our officers were out there in force to ensure that people were sticking with the restrictions and engaging with those who were not.

"We enforce the law and not Government guidance or advice so we have no role to play in enforcing social distancing, the wearing of masks or avoiding public transport. We still have a responsibility where people are gathering in large groups with those not in their household, as this is not legally permitted in the regulations.”

There has been some confusion about what the new guidance does and doesn’t allow and concern from residents that the easing of restrictions could lead to a rush of visitors to the area.

The amendments made by the Government mean people in England can:

• collect goods from a business permitted to remain open and visit recycling centres, garden centres and outdoor sport courts

• take part in activity associated with the sale or letting of residential property – including visiting estate agents and attending house viewings

• visit public open spaces alone or with members of your household for recreation

• visit public open spaces or take exercise with one member of another household, as long as they stay two metres apart Anyone from outside the county is asked not to visit at this time.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, said: “The joint message from police and our partner agencies in Dorset is very clear – please think twice before coming to our county.

“To those who live outside the county, the message that went out a couple of weeks ago was that Dorset was closed and today we continue to ask visitors not to come to Dorset at this time. The hotels, campsites, bars and restaurants remain closed so we cannot offer you the best of Dorset right now, and of course we also want to protect our coastal and rural communities.

“If you want to understand why we say this, take a quick look at the map of Covid-19 infections and you will see that our county, and the south west as a whole, has remained relatively low in comparison with other parts of the UK. We don’t want to see that picture change as a result of a sudden influx of visitors.

“Dorset residents themselves are able to now enjoy the relative new freedoms that have been granted, particularly the relaxed restrictions around daily exercise, but we would ask both residents and those who are thinking of visiting Dorset to think twice, consider the risks, weigh up the potential consequences of their actions and then choose to stay safe and stay local.”

Between March 27 and May 14, Dorset Police issued 808 fixed penalty notices to people who have allegedly breached Covid-19 restrictions.

Mr Vaughan added: “Going forward, we will continue to police the county and protect the public as we have done throughout the pandemic.

“Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the regulations and guidance and encourage people to follow what is being asked of them. Enforcement is a very last resort.”