Woodley Town Council

23/6/2020

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.

Summary:

• From 4 July the 2m distancing rule will be changed, and people should stay “one-metre plus” where a distance of 2m is not possible
• Two households of any size will be able to meet in any setting inside or out. This does not have to be the same set of households – but the government does not recommend meetings of multiple households indoors because of the risk of infection
• Outdoors, people can meet in groups of up to six – but two households can meet regardless of size
• Restaurants and pubs can reopen. All hospitality indoors will be limited to table service and with minimal staff and customer contact. Customers will also have to give contact details when they enter
• Holiday accommodation – including hotels, B&Bs, cottages, campsites and caravan parks can reopen 
• Indoor venues allowed to reopen include libraries, community centres, museums and galleries, amusement arcades and cinemas 
• More outdoor spaces will open if they can do so safely, including outdoor gyms and children’s playgrounds 
• Hairdressers will be able to reopen, as long as they take precautions. Other close-contact services such as nail bars will not yet open, but the prime minister said they would be able to open “as soon as we’re confident they can operate safely”
• Nightclubs and casinos remain closed, along with bowling alleys, spas, swimming pools and indoor soft play centres
• Weddings of up to 30 guests.

Woodley Town Council will make a separate announcement regarding its own facilities in light of the new rules.