The prime minister's announcement of the ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown has been met with cautious optimism by Fakenham residents.
Before that, all schools will reopen on March 8, while non-essential retail, restaurants and pub gardens will be allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors from April 12.
And people in the market town were pleased with the news.
Fay Dewing, who owns Sew Sweets on the Market Place, said, “It is great to have a date in the diary for when we are able to welcome back our customers.
“It's a shame that it is still another seven weeks away, however, we understand the importance of getting the easing right so we don't have to go through a lockdown like this again.”
Alie Hannam runs The Crown in Fakenham, a pub and restaurant, and said she was delighted by the announcement.
“I think it’s brilliant. We’ve always obeyed the rules and will continue to do so. It looks like we are all heading in the right direction," she said.
“We have a lot of regulars that live alone. It will be nice to welcome them back.”
When asked if she was happy to wait seven weeks before she could open up again, she said: "Yes, of course. If the R rate is dropping, and everyone stays safe."
Sculthorpe Aviator landlords Christopher Brown and Cara Green are looking forward to May when they can reopen the pub’s doors, rather than just their beer garden.
“We are very excited for May 17 where we can welcome our customers back properly inside and outside,” they said.
“April 12 is promising for outside dining and drinks only but we only have limited space outside. On this note, we are now planning to build some cover for outside just in case the weather is not on our side.
"As for restrictions being lifted on June 21, if this means social distancing is no longer needed, this means we could introduce our missing tables back within the restaurant.
"However, to still allow our customers to feel safe. We will keep these restrictions in place for the rest of the year.”
Theatres and cinemas can also reopen in May, and Andy Lawson from Fakenham’s Central Cinema said he is fine with the wait.
“I haven’t fully seen all the details but it is basically as expected," he said.
"I am ok with it being a cautious approach if, as expected, it proves to be the last time we have to lockdown.
"I’ve had many messages from customers during lockdown saying they are really looking forward to getting back to supporting us and other local leisure/entertainment amenities.”
Norfolk county councillor for Fakenham, Tom FitzPatrick, was delighted to see the figures falling and the road back to normality laid out.
He said: “I think every single one of us must be both pleased and relieved that the Covid figures in Norfolk are falling.
"In particular, it is good that our local figures are down so very much. This has all helped with the decisions which are being made.
“I am pleased that this easing is going to be done in an evidence-based manner that uses up-to-date data and I welcome the planned return of the rule of six by the end of March.
"It is definitely a positive move that two households of any number should be allowed to meet outdoors in time for Easter.
“There has been a great team effort across the whole of our local community in supporting one another over the past difficult months.
"Let’s all continue to work together to allow lockdown to end by continuing to observe social distancing and other precautions.
"That way we can all do our bit to make sure that the lockdown can be safely lifted.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here