BUSINESSES across the city are ready for the last stage of the government’s road map out of lockdown, with “Freedom Day” signalling the end of coronavirus restrictions.

Today sees the last remaining Covid measures in place being lifted, with shops and restaurants scrapping mandatory face coverings.

All legal limits on the numbers meeting indoors and outdoors are now out and all businesses can open, including nightclubs – for the first time since March 2020.

However, some businesses in the city will not be ditching the restrictions immediately.

Speaking to The Argus, owner of Pier View fish and chips Rebecca Wheatley said some measures, including perplex screens, will stay in the shop.

She said: “We will leave it down to customers if they want to wear a mask in front of the counter.

“We are going to carry on, as usual, we will leave all the screens and the people serving will wear a mask for the time being.”

The government is recommending that businesses use “certification” as a basis of entry to venues deemed “high risk”, especially when the prevalence of coronavirus is high as it is currently.

People can attend concerts, theatre and sports events and the one-metre-plus rule on social distancing ends.

Mark Hedger, owner of Brighton Beach Bikes, does not expect a drastic change amongst businesses and how they operate.

“I don’t think much is going to change down here really - we are primarily an outdoors spots vendor anyway, we aren’t really indoors.

“I don’t necessarily see much change for us, sort of as you were.”

Elsewhere in the city, Brighton and Hove Buses revealed it will continue to ask passengers to wear face covers - despite the rule change.

Managing director Martin Harris said that while face coverings would no longer be compulsory on public transport, people were strongly encouraged to wear one, unless exempt.

“The government, our local authority and public health teams are advising that people continue to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces. We fully support this, and our messaging on face coverings on buses remains in place.

“We highly recommend that passengers who can wear face coverings continue to wear them, unless they cannot.

“This is the same recommendation for all enclosed spaces such as shops.

“As the final details are being worked through, I would ask all passengers to continue to act responsibly to help keep each other safe.

“We are really pleased to welcome people back on to our buses as seating and standing restrictions on buses are removed."

“All the other health and safety measures we have put in place during the pandemic will stay, because our priority is - and will always be - the safety of our customers and colleagues.”

In a move towards restarting international travel, children and adults who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus will not have to quarantine on their return from amber list countries to England from today.

The Spanish islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca were added to the government’s amber travel list from 4am today due to a surge in Covid cases.

The change will affect those returning to England, Scotland and Wales.