From 4 July, lockdown will be eased with many companies able to reopen

The changes to lockdown take place from Saturday 4 July, and include pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and accommodation sites will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to “COVID Secure” guidelines.

From the same date, the Prime Minister set out that two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, which will also reduce to one metre where two metres is not possible. Furthermore, legislation will also be eased, with the guidance switching to official advice rather than being written in law.

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.

Nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will remain closed for now, the Government added. 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.

Elizabeth de Jong, Policy Director at FTA said: “The logistics industry, which directly impacts more than seven million people employed throughout the supply chain, has welcomed the news that more of the economy is to open up as the government eases COVID-19 restrictions.  Logistics enables all economic, as well as social, activity and health services and the closure of hospitality, retail and leisure companies has had a significant impact on the sector, and thus the economy as a whole.  We stand ready to assist in driving productivity back up to pre-pandemic levels, to help the revival of the UK’s businesses, while ensuring that our own workers are able to operate safely and effectively under new social distancing regulations.”

Government warned that measures me be revoked if the public abuses the relaxing of the lockdown. Changes only apply in England.