Hairdressers and nail bars can open from July 6 in Northern Ireland and school will only need to impose ONE METRE social distancing from August
- Northern Ieland reducing social distancing in schools to one metre from August
- First Minister Arlene Foster said hairdressers and nail bars can open from July 6
- The moves will increase the pressure on Boris Johnson to do the same in England
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Hairdressers and nail bars will open in Northern Ireland from July 6 – and schools will only need to impose one metre coronavirus social distancing from August.
First Minister Arlene Foster revealed the moves, saying they would allow class sizes to return to near-normal levels – paving the way for all children to return.
The reduction from two metres will heap pressure on Boris Johnson to do the same in England.
The government is finally due to unveil its plan tomorrow for catch-up classes and getting schools fully up and running by September.
Ministers have already been forced to back down on plans to have every primary pupil in school for four weeks before the summer break, amid furious opposition from unions who say they are not convinced about safety.
Meanwhile, there is yet to be any confirmation that hairdressers will be allowed to open their doors on July 4, the earliest date in the government’s road map.
The government is finally due to unveil its plan tomorrow for catch-up classes and getting schools fully up and running by September. Pictured, pupis at Willowpark Primary Academy in Oldham today
The reduction from two metres announced by Arlene Foster (left) will heap pressure on Boris Johnson (right) to do the same in England
Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to give any details of the blueprint this evening, telling the Downing Street briefing: ‘It is something DfE (the Department for Education) is working very hard on.’
Pressed on whether the two-metre rule could be eased, Mr Hancock said: ‘There is a review into the current two metre rule.’
Mrs Foster said the change from two metres to one metre in Northern Ireland’s schools will take effect after their summer break on August 24.
Hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons will also be able to reopen on July 6, with safety measures in place.
Places of worship have been told they can provisionally reopen on a wider basis from 29 June.
Mr Johnson has been facing a mounting revolt from Tories over the two-metre, with demands for it to be eased immediately.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock refused to give any details of the blueprint at the Downing Street briefing this evening
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Treasurer of the powerful backbench 1922 committee, said the PM was ‘probed’ on the issues at a meeting yesterday.
Sir Geoffrey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that although there was no specific commitment from the PM he was ‘certain’ the social distancing restrictions and quarantine on UK arrivals would be relaxed soon.
It is understood Mr Johnson told backbenchers he wants to ditch the two-metre rule but cannot unless extra safety procedures are introduced to keep his scientific advisers happy.
But he came under ‘a lot of pressure’ during a virtual 45-minute meeting with the delegation from the 1922.
Sir Geoffrey stressed that the PM had not given any specific pledge, but told BBC radio 4’s Today programme: ‘We are not going to get all schoolchildren back to school in September unless the two metre rule is changed.
‘I am quite certain from everything I have heard that it will have been changed then.’