In response to increased footfall, Bath & North East Somerset Council has stepped up patrols in Bath centre, Alice Park, Royal Victoria Park, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Keynsham Memorial Park.

The officers work in teams of two and help ensure people understand lockdown guidance around when it is ok to leave home, keeping in family bubbles and that being outdoors is for exercise, not socialising.

Councillor Dine Romero, Council Leader, said: “It’s a concern that certain locations have become busier in recent days. To make sure we keep people as safe as possible and help them to ensure they’re doing the right thing, we have increased the number of our Covid Safety Officers in these key areas.

“The coronavirus guidance stipulates that we should all stay local, which means the village, town or part of the city we live in. We should not be travelling to visit other areas for exercise.

“The number of Covid cases is continuing to fall in Bath and North East Somerset which is reassuring, however we cannot afford to be complacent. The guidance from Public Health England is still to stay at home and to ‘act as if you have it’.

“We all need to continue to play our part in following this guidance to keep ourselves and others safe.”

Find all Council updates on coronavirus and the latest guidance at: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus