To this end, Dorset Council is working with town and parish councils, and alongside Dorset Police, to ensure the safety of residents and visitors across the county while social distancing measures remain in place.

A priority has been identifying areas with a concentration of bars and restaurants that have sitting-out licences, as well as being heavily used by pedestrians and vehicles.

Such mixed-use areas will present a significant challenge for maintaining health and safety and social distancing, even with restrictions reducing to 1m-plus.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said, “Although large social gatherings are still not permitted, it is anticipated that residents and visitors will take advantage of the opportunity to dine-out and socialise more widely.

“We also expect more businesses will be applying for sitting-out licences and the Government has made this process much more streamlined.

“This is not a licence to party, but a small, positive step for the hospitality industry to start welcoming customers back safely. We will be carefully monitoring any temporary highway measures that we put in place to provide additional space for social distancing and we won’t hesitate to change them if problems start to arise.”

The first set of temporary measures to support the safe return of hospitality businesses will be introduced along Weymouth harbourside.