Government easies lockdown restrictions for leisure and hospitality industry

While addressing the House of Commons today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to lift a number of lockdown restrictions over the coming weeks.

From Saturday 4 July, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.

Two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, and people can now enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites.

Some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also open if they can do so safely – these include outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.

Where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, government 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.

“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 as the government continues to work with these sectors to establish taskforces to help them to become COVID Secure and reopen as soon as possible.

If you’re a business looking to reopen over the coming weeks, check out our Supporting Your Return To The District pages where you can find more information and guidance on making your place of business safe and secure.