More businesses can re-open from 4th July

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should remain 2m apart where possible but a "one metre plus" rule would be introduced. Two households in England will also be able to meet indoors and stay overnight - with social distancing. The prime minister warned that all the steps were "reversible". He said there would be local outbreaks in the future - and that he would not hesitate to reverse the changes at the local or national level if the virus were to begin to run out of control.

The government's chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, said the relaxation represented a "reasonable balance of risk" & also stressed that we must stick to the guidance - there are still very significant restrictions and we must not relax our attitude to social distancing. It remains at two metres unless you can mitigate. People must take it incredibly seriously.

Staff and customers will need reassurance that your business is following the guidelines to be COVID-secure. Communication is fundamentally important.

Government guidance: opening up must be COVID-secure

There will be different guidelines for each sector, your local councils will be communicating soon.

Who can reopen?

Guidance here; summary below: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/opening-certain-businesses-and-venues-in-england-from-4-july-2020

Barbers and hair salons but not prohibited services (eg beauty, nail, tanning, massage, piercing, tattoos, etc)

B&Bs, campsites, holiday apartments, hotels

Cafes, pubs, restaurants for table service, no standing at bars; this includes cafes, restaurants, and shops inside other venues that can be accessed from the outside

Cinemas, galleries, libraries, museums

Community centres, social clubs

Courts, police stations, probation and other public services

Leisure and tourist attractions such as aquariums, theme parks, wildlife centers, zoos

Outdoor gyms, playgrounds

Places of worship for prayer and worship but no singing, weddings with a maximum 30 people social distancing

Who cannot re-open?

Beauty salons, nail bars, spas, tanning salons and massage, piercing, and tattoo parlors

Bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks

Conference and exhibition venues

Concert halls and theatres

Indoor dance, fitness, gyms, sports venues

Nightclubs and casinos

Soft-play areas

Swimming pools and water parks

Water parks

Social distancing & hygiene. Social distancing will also be modified from 4th July

Two meters remains preferable but

It can be "one meter plus” the “plus” being mitigations. Where it is not possible to stay 2m apart, implement one meter plus mitigations that reduce the risk of transmission such as installing screens, facing away from each other, improving ventilation, wearing face masks (as is compulsory on public transport)

Continue with hand washing and sanitizing

Be out of doors less

More freedoms from 4th July to see friends and family plus essential actions

We can meet with one other household at a time, including staying over, indoors, outside, in a restaurant or pub, in paid accommodation but must stay socially distant from anyone outside your household

We can meet up to six people from up to six households outside your household

Maintain social distancing - stay two meters apart or one meter plus mitigations

Wash hands regularly

Wear face coverings on public transport

Follow the rules when visiting businesses

Self isolate if asked to do so by NHS test and trace

Get tested immediately if you have symptoms

Limit social contact and act responsibly