Charley Adams
BBC News Online

Some harbour authorities across Devon and Cornwall are loosening restrictions from Wednesday.

Padstow Harbour Authority has eased restrictions slightly allowing people to do various water sports in the estuary such as kayaking and windsurfing.

This decision was made in line with government guidance and on the basis that people continue to maintain social distancing.

Boris Johnson announced this week that lockdown measures were being eased across England.

Similarly, Salcombe Harbour Authority said it is adjusting its stance to allow for the reopening of public spaces and activities, while keeping in line with government guidance.

It said the estuary would be open for local exercise, sport or spending time outdoors, while social distancing.

Image source, Google

Charley Adams
BBC News Online

Some National Trust car parks will be opening from Wednesday so people can access fresh air, open space and nature.

The charity said it was looking forward to welcoming visitors backs, but the safety of staff, volunteers, visitors and the local community remains the priority.

The National Trust said all opening decisions would be guided by local judgement, and car parks which are staffed and have facilities would take longer to open.

It stressed it was important to avoid hotspots developing and some places may not open if there is too great a risk.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Graduates with innovate ideas about how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic are being invited to apply for grants.

The University of Exeter’s Student Startup team has launched the Covid-19 Startup Support Fund, supported by Santander UK and Research England.

It is aimed at giving graduate entrepreneurs the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £2,000 to support projects that respond to some of the challenges caused by the pandemic.

These could include innovating their current business model, developing new products or supporting initiatives to reach out and engage with new audiences.

The scheme has already awarded its first four grants, including one to PaddleBoat Theatre CIC.

The Exeter-based company was founded in 2014 by four drama students and are using the new funding to create a programme of activities for deaf children and their parents.

Emily Davies, Exeter Student Startup manager, said: "During these unprecedented times, we hope that these grants, along with ongoing access to advice and support, will help ensure that those businesses can weather this storm and continue on their entrepreneurial journey.”

For more information email e.c.e.davies@exeter.ac.uk, external

Although the tape closing it off has been removed the skate park remains closed - in line with government guidance.

BBC Radio Cornwall

The owner of an angling business in Cornwall says he won't be reopening in the near future - because it is too soon to ease the lockdown rules.

Ed Schliffke made the comments after the prime minister said fishing was acceptable if people stay a safe distance apart.

Mr Schliffke, who owns the Padstow Angling Centre, said he won't be restarting his business yet.

He said: "I think it is too soon."

Mr Schliffke said a client "from up the line" had been in touch asking if he could come to buy some bait and tackle.

"Now it is encouraging people down and I think it is wrong," he said.

With the easing of restrictions on travel on Wednesday, more people are expected to head to the coast.

However, rescue services are urging people to think about how much danger they could be putting themselves in and to make sure they know the tide times and are aware of any warnings or advice for the area they are visiting.

"Our advice is to be very, very careful", said Steve Instance, the RNLI's Lead for Water Safety in the South West.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Cornwall Council is reminding people its care and support services are still available during lockdown.

Residents are urged to contact the council for support with any equipment that helps them to live independently.

They are also reminded to keep an eye on their vulnerable neighbours in case of any safeguarding concerns and anyone who currently uses equipment issued by Cornwall Council’s Community Equipment Loan Service can still contact the council if there is a problem with their equipment or to request new equipment.

Councillor Rob Rotchell said: "I understand that people may think that services are not running as normal at the moment but equipment that helps people to live independently in their own homes is considered an essential service and it is important that people are still able to use that equipment safely."

People can find out more on the council’s website, external.

Interested in volunteering to help those around you? Well make sure you stay safe at the same time with this guide from Cornwall Council.

BBC Radio Devon

Devon's tourism bosses say holidaymakers are still not welcome yet despite the government's latest advice.

The prime minister said from Wednesday people will be allowed to drive “as far as they like" to reach outdoor spaces but he says that doesn't mean people can travel to second or holiday homes.

The South West Tourism Alliance fears that people might still come to Devon at a time when we need to beat the virus.

Alistair Handyside, from the organisation, said telling people to stay away was "the most painful thing imaginable for people that are involved in trying to grow and develop the visitor economy in the south west" but the message still needed to be for people to stay away for now, stay at home and stay safe.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

The RSPCA has been receiving 40 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales every day since lockdown began.

The charity has had more than 1,600 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales and 52 in Devon.

Image source, RSPCA

The charity has released the figures as part of its emergency appeal, launched to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the coronavirus crisis and continuing to rescue animals most in need.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA rescue teams, said: “Although much of the country is on lockdown, sadly there are still thousands of animals who need our help, including abandoned pets.

“Many people are finding their pets are a real source of comfort in these anxious times and thankfully cases of abandonment are slightly lower than usual but it’s heartbreaking that some animals are being dumped during this crisis."

BBC Radio Cornwall

The organisation representing front-line police officers says it is concerned about trying to make sure people stay 2m (6ft 6in) apart once they start collecting at beaches and parks.

The Police Federation fears the current good weather will bring hundreds of people into public places.

The chairman of the Devon and Cornwall branch, Andy Berry, said: "We would not have the ability or the resources to go around with a two-metre tape measure, making sure everybody was socially distant, so it is impractical just by virtue of people doing things en masse, we are not going to get the riot police out to the beach."

Martyn Oates
BBC South West Political Editor

From Wednesday people will be free to leave their homes to exercise as many times a day as they like and can drive unlimited distances to do so.

And it will now be possible to simply spend time outside – sitting or sunbathing, for example – subject to social distancing.

The prime minister’s announcement follows weeks of controversy in the south west as to whether people should be driving to exercise at all.

However, travelling to go on holiday – including to stay in a second home – is specifically prohibited under the new rules.

The hospitality industry – so important to the south west economy - would be the last business sector to see lockdown relaxations under the government’s plans.

The prime minister made it clear that there will no change for pubs, restaurants and hotels until at least 4 July.

Ben Woolvin
BBC South West Home Affairs correspondent

The question of whether it’s okay to travel to exercise has prompted much discussion and some strong feelings.

Here in the South West of England many are concerned the relaxation of the rules could mean a big increase in visitors to a region with lots of beauty, but, so far, little virus.

Until now south west police forces have been strongly urging people not to drive for exercise. They have issued hundreds of fines for those who’ve breached the previous rules and senior officers say one of the biggest problems has been travel into the region.

On Monday morning the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "You can drive as far as you want to drive if you want to go and walk in a particular area you’re fond of." The government’s more detailed advice, published this afternoon, says "people may drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance".

One tourism leader, Malcolm Bell from VisitCornwall has described this change as “reckless” and says he would have preferred a 20 mile limit on the distance people were allowed to travel for leisure activities.

He is reminding potential visitors that no accommodation, pubs or food outlets other than takeaways will be open and says this means they should stay within "easy travel distance of their homes".

On Tuesday we’ll hear more from individual police forces about how they are interpreting the new rules.

Going on holiday and visiting second homes in the south west is still not permitted under the new measures coming into force on Wednesday, the government has clarified.

However, day trips to outdoor open spaces are permitted, as long as people use a private vehicle and practice social distancing, according to official guidance published online, external.

Hotels, bed and breakfasts and other holiday accommodation will remain closed, except when providing accommodation for specific reasons, such as for critical workers needing a place to stay for work.

The guidance also clarifies that healthy people over the age of 70 should continue to "take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household".

Let us know your thoughts by emailing spotlight@bbc.co.uk

Four further deaths of people in hospital infected with coronavirus have been reported in the South West.

NHS England said the latest figures included:

• Derriford Hospitcal - two
• Torbay Hospital - one
• Royal Cornwall Hospital - one

The latest deaths mean there have been 345 deaths in the region in total.

Of those, 167 were in Devon and 84 in Cornwall.

The Royal Cornwall Show for 2020 has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In March a decision was made to postpone the agricultural show until the 10 to 12 September.

Chris Riddle, secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, said: "We are hugely saddened by the decision to cancel this year's Royal Cornwall Show, and know this will be of great disappointment to many."

The council of the RCAA said it would not be possible to host a safe event with the current conditions on social distancing and possible government restrictions on large events.

This was the safest and only decision that could be made, the council added.

The RCAA team will be in touch with ticket holders, exhibitors and traders over the next few days to explain their options.

Rebecca Thorn
BBC News Online

Image source, James North

A teenager has swum for more than 12 hours in a pool in her back garden to raise money for the NHS over the bank holiday weekend.

Lowenna North, 13, swims for a club in Launceston, Cornwall and decided to set herself the challenge after missing her training under lockdown.

She said: "Because the London marathon got cancelled, I saw lots of people were running in their back garden.

"So I thought I wanted to do something along those lines."

With her Dad's help, she attached a tether to her belt to hold her in place, and swam for two hours at a time, completing 12 miles in total.

Lowenna has raised about £500 for the NHS charity with the support of friends and family.

"I can’t even put it into words. It’s so amazing really that you can do that for the NHS," she said.

Image source, James North

Claire Gilbody-Dickerson
BBC News

The boss of Exeter airport has written to Downing Street to warn that the potential move to quarantine passengers returning to the UK could deal a "devastating blow" to their business.

Andrew Bell, chief executive of Regional & City Airports - which operates Exeter, Bournemouth and Norwich airports, called on the government to ensure it takes "appropriate safeguards around time-limiting the measures and supporting businesses affected during quarantine".

In a letter sent over the weekend and seen by the BBC, Mr Bell said "blanket, open-ended" restrictions could damage the airports, on which 3,000 people's jobs rely.

Image source, Getty

Before Covid-19, up to 2.4 million passengers travelled through its airports every year, the chief executive said. He cautioned against the knock-on effect the restrictions would have on local economies and the tourism and hospitality sectors in particular.

Mr Bell appealed for a "clear exit strategy" to be published in due time as a "protracted period of zero, or near zero passengers, is simply unsustainable".

"Taken together, these steps would help to limit the damage quarantine would inflict on aviation, though they would not fully eliminate it," he said.

BBC Radio Cornwall

The man charged with promoting Cornwall's tourism sector has admitted summer visitors may not start returning to the south west county until late July.

Malcolm Bell, from Visit Cornwall, said tourist spots should be able to make up their own decisions "on the ground" as he pointed to how Cornwall's economy is already down by £270m due to the loss of Easter trade.

Patrick Langmaid, from Mother Ivey's Bay Holiday Park, near Padstow, said they have had "zero income" since lockdown started.

Image source, Google

"I think the biggest problem we face is that as a seasonal business the disruption we are experiencing now is going to have a lasting effect throughout the remainder of our season, even as lockdown is eased.

"We are going to need support through the winter and right the way through to spring 2021 in order to survive for the 2021 season."

Mr Langmaid called on the government to provide "science-led certainty about the direction the country is going to take".

BBC Radio Devon

The RNLI has called upon other organisations to help it patrol Devon's beaches this summer.

The institution said if they can roll out a service, it will only cover about 30% of its usual beaches.

Image source, RNLI/Lewis Timson

Area lifesaving manager James Millage said there is going to be a large proportion of beaches without coastguards this summer.

"This really is us beginning to call for help from other organisations, like surfing clubs, who can also work with us, with our water safety teams, to develop really good plans for those beaches," he said.