
26 June
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced more businesses can re-open from 4th July
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