Coronavirus: the South West reacts to the easing of lockdown
Watch the full report from ITV West Country reporter Richard Lawrence, on the first day of eased lockdown restrictions
Thousands of people across the West Country have been adapting to the new relaxed lockdown rules.
Many made a cautious return to work on Wednesday (13 May) following Government advice that those unable to do their jobs from home are encouraged to go back where "it is safe to do so".
People have been asked to avoid public transport where at all possible, but for many there is no alternative.
BUSINESS
In Stroud, energy company Ecotricity plans to allow staff to split their time between home and the office.
Owner Dale Vince told ITV News West Country that he doesn't think they will be "anywhere near full office occupancy anytime soon" - at least until a vaccine is found and approved.
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Garden Centres in the region have also been able to reopen with extra measures in place to minimise the spread of the virus.
The housing market is up and running again too, which means estate agents have also returned to work.
Robert Nagle, from Leese & Nagle Estate Agents in Bristol, said all appointments now have to be carried out with people using face masks and gloves.
He said it is crucial that people visiting the agency feel there is a "sense of comfort and trust that we will be vigilant and appropriate" in the way they are working.
The impact of the new measures on the West Country economy has yet to be quantified but business leaders say it is a step in the right direction.
BEACHES
Watch the full report from ITV West Country reporter Kathy Wardle as people return to beaches in Cornwall
The new regulations are good news for some, but there are also concerns.
Beaches across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset are traditionally very popular with visitors from around the country, especially at this time of year.
Tourist leaders are worried that an influx of visitors could potentially have a significant impact on the health of local communities now people in England can travel unlimited distances for daily exercise.
Caroline Darlington from Visit Weston said people from as far away as London have been calling to ask if Weston-super-Mare beach is open.
RNLI urges people to take care along coasts after PM's announcementTaunton visitors asked to 'move on' by police after visiting Dorset beauty spot
On the day restrictions were lifted slightly, the RNLI in Port Isaac had to rescue two people spotted in a small boat off the coast of Port Gaverne.
They were seen by a member of the public who said, "It looked as though they were trying to get back into shore but couldn't. The sea was terrible."
RNLI crew members found the two men without life jackets or appropriate clothing for the conditions when they reached them.
The rescue comes just days after the RNLI urged members of the public to take extra care following changes to Government guidance.
The following safety advice has been issued:
Take care near cliffs - know your route and your limitations
Have a plan - always check the weather forecast and tide times
If you fall into water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE - fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend arms and legs, float.
If boating, make sure your equipment is working and well maintained.
In a coastal emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
POLICING
After more than seven weeks of enforcing strict lockdown rules, the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police has thanked members of the public for sticking to the guidelines.
Andy Marsh said that the force has only issued 322 tickets to people flouting the rules since the start of the pandemic.
While he described the new regulations as "challenging", he said they are "not impossible" and the force will continue to police as before.
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The Chief Constable admitted that the force has "regrettably had a small but significant number" of occasions where officers have been subject to abuse.
He said officers "have been coughed at, spat at, bitten" by people alleging to have coronavirus.
But Andy Marsh, "it is a time for society to pull together and support their police" as we continue to support all key workers during the pandemic.
For all the latest coronavirus updates from the West Country, click here.