A WIRRAL barber is "fully booked up and ready" for when all retail and personal care businesses can reopen after lockdown.

Tracey Lewis, owner of Alcatraz barbers in Bromborough, says "the phone never stopped with messages” after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his "cautious but irreversible roadmap to freedom" from coronavirus restrictions on Monday.

Tracey, who will have had a Covid vaccination by the time the doors reopen, told the Globe today: "I'm fully booked up for the first week, that was within one hour of the announcement from the Prime Minister.

"I didn’t get to bed until about midnight with messages, phone calls, emails and Facebook inboxes to the shop all at the same time.

“I even had someone message me for a cut saying: ‘I’m the fella with the dog who sits under the gown’. It’s his birthday on the day we reopen so he’s made up.”

In the first step of Boris Johnson’s roadmap, pupils at schools across England are expected to return to class from March 8, with wider use of face masks and testing in secondaries. Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted from that date.

A further easing will take place on March 29, when the Easter holidays begin, with larger groups of up to six people or two households allowed to gather in parks and gardens.

Progress along the schedule will depend on meeting four tests: the success of vaccine rollout, evidence of the jab’s effectiveness, assessment of new variants and keeping infection rates below a level that could put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality venues such as beer gardens may reopen on April 13.

From May 17, two households or groups of up to six people may be allowed to mix indoors.

Crowds of up to 10,000 in the largest venues will also be allowed at performances and sporting events.

Ministers are also committed to reviewing socialdistancing guidance that has prevented loved ones from hugging for nearly a year.

All remaining restrictions on social contact could be lifted, larger events can go ahead and nightclubs could finally reopen on June 21.

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Janette Williamson welcomed the roadmap with some caution.

She said: "While the announcement was a longawaited boost for the country, it’s clear that Coronavirus is still going to affect our lives for some time.

"These potential changes might be confusing, daunting, or exciting to many – especially after weeks in very strict lockdown restrictions.

"But while the lifting of restrictions brings with it a sense of relief, it should also bring a sense of personal responsibility. 

Cllr Williamson continued: "Moving too fast out of restrictions could set us all back.

"We all need to keep doing the right thing so we can move through to step two.

"The virus is still circulating in our communities and we must all do our bit to manage the risks, to slow the spread and to help Keep Wirral Well."