PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES EASING OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (Tuesday 23 June) set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs.
From Saturday 4th July, the Prime Minister has announced that pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.
From the same date, he has set out that two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, and that people can now enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites.
In order to begin restoring the arts and cultural sector, some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.
Following a review, the Prime Minister has also set out that where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’. This means staying one metre apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission.
As we begin to reopen the economy, it’s important that we do not increase the risk of transmission which is why “close proximity” venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will need to remain closed for now. The Government is continuing to work with these sectors to establish taskforces to help them to become COVID Secure and reopen as soon as possible.
While the infection rate continues to fall, the Prime Minister has been clear that the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control. The Government will keep all measures under constant review and will not hesitate to apply the handbrake, or reverse measures, should the virus begin to run out of control.
These changes apply in England only.
Will you be giving guidance to hotels/ B&Bs / Pubs /Restaurants on how we should operate?
Hi Chris, before we can advise business owners, we’ll need to wait for further guidance from Central Government, as we have done all the way through the pandemic. Sometimes this has taken a couple of weeks to come through from Gov’t and then we have to translate into what it means for our local businesses, so my advice would be to keep checking the Gov.uk website for updates as they happen. Kirstie
I thought Boris had a bit more about him than previous ones . Obviously not .
Can’t believe pubs are going to open . That you can go abroad on holiday . Hairdressers can open . Football is back (although behind closed doors and that the beaches are open to any idiot that thinks bits safe .
Can he tell me why all of the above can open but nail and beauty salons cannot .
Really it beggars belief it’s far to soon to do this and without doubt there will be another surge of people catching this dreadful virus .
All too experts have been saying this but no one is listening yet again .
When are libraries going to re-open?
Hi Keith, we’re currently finalising the plans for libraries. Further details, including what will be available and when, will be announced in the next couple of days and I’ll make sure I come back here with those details for you, Claire.
Will we be able to make use of our second homes in Dorset after the 4th July 2020.
thank you
Are outdoor playgrounds in Dorset allowed to reopen? Ours is still locked shut. Please advise – the community would be happy to clean it ourselves, the kids want to play!