Cinemas, pubs and hairdressers will today get the green light to reopen on July 4 – dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ by some MPs – as Boris Johnson signals the end of lockdown.
In a calculated gamble designed to rescue Britain’s economy, the Prime Minister will announce that key sectors including tourism and hospitality will be allowed to reopen next week for the first time since March.
But, in a sign of the risks involved, he will also warn that the changes will be reversed immediately if people abuse the new rules and the epidemic begins to take off again.
The relaxation on July 4 – Independence Day in the US – comes amid growing optimism that the virus, which has claimed more than 42,000 lives in the UK, is finally reducing to manageable proportions.
Yesterday’s death toll rose by 15 – the lowest figure since March 13, ten days before the lockdown began.
Cinemas, pubs and hairdressers will today get the green light to reopen on July 4, as Boris Johnson signals the end of lockdown. The relaxation comes amid growing optimism that the virus, which has claimed more than 42,000 lives in the UK, is finally reducing to manageable proportions
The Prime Minister will also confirm the end of the two-metre rule, with businesses allowed to operate a one-metre rule as long as they introduce other measures to cut the virus risk. (Above, a shopper is fitted for a suit by a tailor in London’s Savile Row on June 15)
In a calculated gamble designed to rescue Britain’s economy, the PM will announce that key sectors including tourism and hospitality will be allowed to reopen next week for the first time since March. Government sources said some indoor venues, including cinemas, museums and art galleries, can reopen next week provided they take measures to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. (Above, visitors to the British Museum on March 17)
Boris Johnson is expected to confirm that from July 4 the British tourist industry can reopen, giving millions the hope of a ‘staycation’ in the UK this summer. (Above, people relax in the sunshine on Wandsworth Common, south London, on Monday)
Just 15 coronavirus deaths were announced in the UK today – the lowest figure recorded since the middle of March
Some 2.2million vulnerable people who have been ‘shielding’ for more than three months were yesterday told they could finally leave their homes from July 6.
The focus of the attempted economic revival will be on activities that can take place outdoors. The July 4 date has been dubbed ‘Super Saturday’ by some MPs according to the Daily Telegraph.
Ministers will bring forward legislation this week to give fast-track approval for pubs and restaurants to put seating outdoors, and small shops will be encouraged to set up stalls outside their premises.
The package of measures will be finalised by the Cabinet today before being announced by Mr Johnson in a statement to Parliament at lunchtime.
But government sources said that some indoor venues, including cinemas, museums and art galleries, will also be allowed to reopen next week provided they take measures to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.
Mr Johnson will also confirm the end of the two-metre rule, with businesses allowed to operate a one-metre rule as long as they introduce other measures to cut the virus risk.
At a meeting of senior ministers and officials last night, Downing Street permanent secretary Simon Case, who led a review of the rule, said case numbers were now low enough to reduce the guidance to ‘one metre plus’.
But businesses will have to take precautions such as encouraging the use of masks, seating people side by side rather than face to face, and improving ventilation.
A Downing Street source warned: ‘We are only able to move forward this week because the vast majority of people have taken steps to control the virus.
‘But the more we open up, the more important it is that everyone follows the social distancing guidelines. We will not hesitate to reverse these steps if it is necessary to stop the virus running out of control.’
The changes will only apply in England for now.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, yesterday suggested the Government was acting in a ‘reckless’ way.
She said it was ‘very tempting’ to ease restrictions when death rates were falling, but said fresh outbreaks in Germany and China underlined the need for caution.
But Matt Hancock said official data on the epidemic supported the case for relaxing the rules.
The number of new cases fell to 958, the lowest figure since lockdown began on March 23.
The Health Secretary told the daily No 10 briefing last night: ‘A month ago, one in 400 people had the virus; now it is one in 1,700 and we can ease the lockdown.’
The government released the latest slides tonight showing the status of the battle against coronavirus in the UK
Today’s package of measures is expected to produce the biggest single relaxation of the lockdown so far.
One Whitehall source said it was ‘effectively the end of lockdown’ – although large gatherings will remain banned, theatres and nightclubs will have to stay closed, and modified social distancing rules will remain in place.
Cinemas will only be able to have customers in every other seat.
Museums and galleries will have to operate one-way systems and limit numbers.
Hairdressers will be required to take steps such as wearing personal protective equipment and to cut the small talk to limit the spread of the virus.
Pubs and restaurants will also be allowed to reopen, but with a heavy focus on the outdoors.
The change to the two-metre rule will mean that tables can be placed one metre apart, provided they are side by side.
The PM is expected to confirm that from July 4 the British tourist industry can reopen, giving millions the hope of a ‘staycation’ in the UK this summer.
Hotels, guesthouses, campsites, caravan parks and self-catering properties will all be permitted to reopen if they act to prevent the spread of the virus. Owners of second homes will also be allowed to visit them again.