Public health bosses are expecting tourism levels on he Shotley peninsula and other coastal areas in Suffolk to be back up to 100% of pre-Covid levels from August, prompting an action plan for managing infection spread this summer season.

And it means holidaymakers and day-trippers along the Suffolk coast are likely to see extra measures in place such as additional public toilets, mobile teams handing out test kits in tourism hotspots, and QR code and logbook requirements for venues.

The Shotley peninsula has proved a popular destination, especially over the past five years, especially with walkers, sailors, bird watchers and cyclists enjoying the marina at Shotley, Pin Mill, Harkstead beach and Alton Water.

Data presented by Public Health Suffolk to last week's Suffolk Local Outbreak Engagement Board meeting of council, health and police chiefs, revealed that tourism spend from January-April was at just 10% of 2019 levels, but anticipated to be up to 90% this month and 100% by August.

Overall, it is expected around 21million visitor trips valued at £1.3billion will happen in Suffolk this year, down on the 36.5m visitor trips seen in 2019 that brought £2.1bn to the local economy.

Dr Padmanabhan Badrinath, lead consultant for health protection and the enhanced Covid specialist team at Public Health Suffolk, said: "The government has just released the tourist recovery plan this month because it is a very fine balance between lives and livelihoods.

"Lives are important but livelihoods are equally as important. Tourism is a big industry, so we need to promote and support the livelihoods at the same time as protecting life.

"We have got an amazing tourist paradise in Suffolk. Lots of people have been working hard as tourism opens up in Suffolk to keep Suffolk Covid-secure.

"Tourism is very important in Suffolk – we can expect a large number of staycations as foreign travel is more difficult than usual. You can only go to a few places [abroad], and even if you want to go there they may put some restrictions in place.

"Covid still remains a risk. All the time new variants are coming out, so we need to promote tourism in a very safe way."

A survey carried out by Visit East of England earlier this year found most people visit the region come from around a two-hour drive away, and are most likely to stop at traditional seaside towns like Felixstowe, Aldeburgh and Southwold.

Among the key risks which health chiefs are considering are infection transmission in shared spaces, such as swimming pools and hotel restaurants; decreased social distancing on crowded beaches and parks and fewer places to wash hands frequently if public toilets are closed.

As a result, the plan outlines extra measures being planned this summer in key tourism locations.

They include:

One-way pedestrian movements in key areas

Spot checks to ensure Covid regulations are being followed

Deploying mobile teams in those areas to hand out Covid test kits

Developing specific guidance for caravan and camp sites

Additional signs

Visitors are also being encouraged to continue observing current guidance around regular handwashing, use of facemasks and social distancing to ensure trips are as safe as possible.

For latest information and advice visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/latest-information/