What you can and can't do following Boris Johnson's coronavirus update as he unveils plans to get UK back to normal
BORIS Johnson has unveiled a new plan for what Brits can and can't do on the road to get the UK back to normal.
The Prime Minister updated the nation this morning on the government roadmap for a “return to normality” in the hope life could be back to normal by Christmas.
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Sweeping new changes to lockdown restrictions have also been announced.
OFFICE WORKERS RETURN
In a significant step towards reopening the economy, Boris Johnson gave the green light for workers to return to the office from next month.
The work-from-home slogan will officially be ditched from next month as bosses are urged to get Brits back to the office.
Starting from August 1 businesses will be given “more discretion” on when to bring employees back.
ARTS & LEISURE RESUME
In an important step for the arts, cultural and leisure industries, the PM also paved the way for theatres and sports stadiums to reopen.
From August 1, the Government will reopen most remaining leisure settings, such as bowling alleys, ice-skating rinks and casinos.
Indoor performances in theatres, music halls and other venues can make a comeback from August too as long as audiences socially distance, cabinet minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden announced.
Theatres have been given the green light to commence live performances next month as long as pilots are deemed successful.
Music concerts could also be able to begin again next month.
Close contact services at beauticians will also resume for facials and services such as eyebrow threading.
Beauticians were given the green light to reopen from July 4 but are not allowed to carry out and treatments on customers' faces, including eyebrow threading and facials.
But as of next month, they will be able to offer a full range of services.
Outdoor swimming pools were also allowed to open to swimmers again from July 11, and indoor gyms and pools to reopen from July 25.
Now, entire leisure centres will be able to reopen in full from August, but working out will be different to how it was before lockdown.
COVID-SECURE STADIUMS
From October, sports stadiums will be able to welcome back fans and conferences will be allowed to go ahead, as long as they are Covid-19 secure.
This will include measures like social distancing and encouraging punters to carry out regular hand washing.
The Government will begin piloting live stadium trials, with Mr Johnson saying fans could be able to return to stadiums in England from October.
For those looking to get hitched, it's also good news with wedding receptions of up to 30 people back on the agenda.
WEDDINGS
From next month, brides and grooms can now enjoy sit down meals for no more than 30 guests.
Currently couples can hold socially distanced weddings for up to 30 people but have been unable to enjoy traditional dining celebrations after the marriage.
From mid-November, the government will look at scrapping the one metre social distancing rules.
BUSES & TRAINS
Those wishing to commute by public transport such as bus or train will now be able to for not necessarily essential reasons.
The Prime Minister has signalled a move away from the Government's advice to avoid all but essential transport on trains and buses.
He said: “In England from today we are making clear that anybody can use public transport while encouraging people to consider alternative measures of transport where they're available.”
PUBS & RESTAURANTS
brits will still be able to visit pubs and restaurants but social distancing rules must apply.
This means groups of two households can meet up inside or groups of up to six people can gather to drink or dine al fresco.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Children of all ages will return to school in September.
In the new road map, the Government pledges that schools, nurseries and colleges will open for all children and young people on a full-time basis
However it's not all good news as nightclubs, strip clubs and soft play areas will have to stay closed upon being reviewed at a later date.
The Government has pledged to also examine if it will be possible to open up events such as Christening parties and bar mitzvah celebrations.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Government would be “assessing whether gatherings for other purposes can be made possible”.
House parties are strictly off the cards with groups of two households only permitted to meet inside.
Hosting more than one other household inside is not allowed.
Other activities have been sidelined with the possibility of resuming, such as business conferences which will be piloted later next month in different venues.
BABYSITTING
Boris Johnson caused some confusion earlier when he suggested it was possible for two grandparents to babysit.
At the moment only grandparents who live on their own and form bubbles with their grandchildren's households are allowed to relax social distancing guidelines and hug their grandchildren.
If this is not the case then grandparents must keep a one metre distance.
But the PM stressed that the time table of events would only go ahead if the number of new coronavirus cases remain low.
The announcement came during a sweeping speech where Boris unveiled a series of measures to get Britain working. They included:
- Handing councils powers to shut pubs and cafés without going to Government first through "lightning lockdowns"
- Insisting public transport is safe again as Brits can go back on trains and buses after coronavirus crash
- Giving the NHS an extra £3billion so hospitals are "battle ready" for winter
- Setting a target of 500,000 tests a day by the end of October
- Putting a time frame on social distancing so the nation can finally have a hug
- Getting football fans back into stadiums by October in a huge boost for the new season
- Theatres, pantos and musicals can finally return from August 1
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The government it yet to publish guidance on exactly what rules businesses will need to follow when they are allowed to reopen.
But if it's anything like the rules that have been issued for pubs and other retailers, customers and staff will have to social distance, the number of people gathering together will be limited and cleaning regimes will need to be heightened.
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