Key announcements:
Yesterday, the Prime Minister set out further changes to lockdown measures which will enable people to see more of their friends and family, get businesses back on their feet and people back to work.
- From the outset the Government have trusted the common sense and perseverance of the British people and thanks to them we are continuing to meet the five tests, the R number is below one across the country and the Chief Medical Officers from each devolved administration have moved the UK’s Covid Alert Level from four to three.
- That is why the Government can now go further and safely ease the lockdown in England; but people must take personal responsibility for their own actions, and at every stage, caution will remain our watchword, with each step conditional and reversible.
- Everyone must keep washing hands, staying 2 metres apart wherever feasible, and mitigating the risks at 1 metre where not. They should avoid public transport when possible, and wear a mask when not, get tested immediately if they have symptoms, and self-isolate if instructed by NHS Test and Trace. Guidance on how businesses can reduce the risk by taking certain steps to protect workers and customers can be found here.
Making further changes to lockdown...
The Prime Minister has set out that 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 reopen in order to begin restoring the arts and cultural sector, 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 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.
Keeping the virus under control...
- 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.
- We will continue to trust in the common sense and the community spirit of the British people to follow this guidance, to carry us through and see us to victory over this virus. Everyone must continue to stay alert, control the virus and save lives.
