Boris Johnson announced an unwinding of the lockdown in England last night, saying coronavirus had dwindled enough to make ‘life easier’.
But ministers admit that the new rules are more complicated – and people will have to use ‘common sense’ to navigate the new ‘normal’.
The government has issued guidance in an attempt to clear up some of the more puzzling aspects of the arrangements.
When and where are things changing?
The overhaul announced by the PM yesterday does not come into effect until July 4 – meaning there is now nearly two weeks in which the public must ignore them and stick to the old rules.
It will also only apply in England for now. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland control their own lockdowns and have different guidance. Nicola Sturgeon has insisted the two-metre rule will stay in force north of the border for now.
So when the time comes, what can I do in England?
Essentially, two households will be allowed to meet up in any location – public or private, indoors or outdoors. And they will be permitted to stay overnight at each other’s homes or together in hotels, holiday cottages and campsites.
That means dinner parties are back on the agenda, as well as pub lunches. It benefits larger families, who were previously much more constrained as the total size of gatherings could not be more than six people.
But only two families can be involved, and they must maintain social distancing.
The rules are not exclusive, meaning you can meet up with one household, and then separately with another household. For example, lunch with one set of grandparents could be followed by dinner with the other set.
The government is allowing pubs, restaurants, bars, cinemas, campsites, theme parks, museums and art galleries to open, so there will be more scope for people to enjoy the new freedoms.
So summer holidays are back on?
Yes, within the limits. Staying overnight away from your main home is allowed from July 4, meaning you can go to hotels and bed and breakfasts, or go to any second property you own.
The Foreign Office still advises against all non-essential travel abroad, so insurance for going away is likely to be a problem.
The 14-day quarantine on all arrivals to the UK will continue to apply, although the government is due to announce ‘air bridges’ to low-infection countries such as Spain, France, Italy and Turkey.
Can I hug my grandchildren yet?
There had been speculation that the government would expand social ‘bubbles’ so that extended families could join together than mix freely.
But that idea seems to have been shelved. People must still stay at least a metre apart. The only exception to that is if a single-adult household has merged with another household’s bubble – a loosening that was announced earlier this month to benefit people who live on their own and single parents.
What about if we stay outdoors?
The existing rules state that you can meet outdoors in groups of six people from different households.
That will still apply after July 4. But in addition, two households can meet outdoors without any limit on the total numbers.
Will public toilets reopen?
Councils are responsible for public toilets, so the situation will vary across the country. Check before you go out to avoid being caught short.
Can I go to the gym yet, or watch a football match or concert?
Sadly not. The government says the risk of indoor gyms is still too high, although Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says they hope to make another announcement next month.
Football matches in stadiums are off-limits to crowds. And concerts are considered a ‘particular’ risk as singing and talking loudly tends to spread the virus.
What about churches, weddings and funerals?
Places of worship can open for services and group prayer from July 4 as long as precautions are in place.
However, singing hymns is not permitted due to the potential for infection.
Weddings can resume with up to 30 people – but receptions will be much lower-key affairs, as just two households can attend.
Funerals are subject to the same guidance as before, with only close family advised to attend.
What happens if I break the rules?
An upper limit of 30 people at a gathering – unless they are all from just two households – will stay in place, with the police able to enforce that if necessary.
However, the government says it will essentially trust the public to follow the guidelines without any threat of punishment.
The new advice says: ‘The overwhelming majority of the British public have complied with the regulations, and the wider guidance on how to keep them and their friends and family as safe as possible.
‘Taking this into account, we trust people to continue acting responsibly, and to follow the guidance
What will the new normal look like for businesses that do open?
Pubs and Bars
Millions of Britons will be overjoyed at the news that pubs and bars will be allowed to reopen from July 4 – though visiting your favourite boozer will be a drastically different experience to before lockdown.
For one, you’ll likely have to queue to get in and you’ll be banned from standing at the bar or anywhere else.
Only table service is allowed, with tables also ordered to be a metre apart.
This will obviously then lead to a lower capacity than usual, which could lead to some pubs running a booking system, meaning you’ll have to plan your bar trips, rather than the spontaneous visits of pre-lockdown.
But, in an even more drastic change, customers must give their name and contact details to bar staff, in case someone at the pub later develops coronavirus symptoms.
This is mandatory under the test-and-trace system.
Wetherspoon and Greene King have said customers will be encouraged to use phone apps to order and pay for drinks, while establishments could install screens, hand sanitiser stations and even one-way systems to manage queues.
Restaurants
Like pub-goers, restaurant diners will also have to follow several new rules as part of the ‘new normal’.
You’ll have to book before visiting the restaurant, with the need to follow distancing rules meaning capacity may be lower than usual.
Restaurants will also be installing screens, sanitisers and implementing one-way systems to manage customer queues and meet guidelines.
Customers will also be seated side-by-side if two metre gaps can’t be maintained to reduce transmission risk.
Like pubs, restaurants will also require customers to leave their personal details for the track-and-trace system.
Some restaurants could introduce apps that allow customers to order remotely, while others will use disposable paper menus and ensure service is reduced to lower crowding in kitchens.
However, with the expected reduced capacity, some smaller firms may decide it isn’t financially viable for them to open at all.
Hairdressers and Barbers
Another long-awaited service, Britons will finally be able to get a haircut from July 4, with people all over the country having turned to relatives for dodgy snips during lockdown, with some even deciding to let it all grow for several months.
However, like pubs and restaurants, trips to the barber will be a far more complicated affair than they were pre-lockdown.
Your barber must wear a full visor and gown while cutting your hair, with all equipment, including scissors and combs disinfected after every customer.
Unsurprisingly, this could lead to slower service but refreshments and magazines, usual features to enjoy while you wait, will also be banned.
Britons have also been advised not to bring jewellery, handbags and jackets into salons as the virus can stay on fabrics and metal for several days.
Some salons may even require customers to wear facial coverings and payments must be contactless – with hairdressers encouraged to also ban tips.
Another hurdle to overcome will be the huge demand for a haircut, with salons told to operate at 50 per cent of full capacity to avoid overcrowding.
This has led to some salons already claiming huge backlogs of bookings from Britons eager to lose their lockdown fuzz.
And you can also forget about sharing your coronavirus frustrations with your barber, with hairdressers told to avoid small talk with clients.
Cinemas
A trip to the movies is a popular pastime for Britons and, unsurprisingly, the return of the cinema is sure to be a popular decision.
However, sitting in a dark theatre, packed together with potentially hundreds of other cinema-goers to watch the latest blockbuster, could potentially be a hotbed for coronavirus spread.
To combat this, cinemas will be required to limit capacity and bookings.
This will ensure that movie lovers can remain socially distanced, whether in the theatre or queuing up outside.
Another issue is that several productions, including the latest installment of James Bond, have been delayed amid the pandemic.
To combat this, cinemas could offer a range of classic movies to whet the appetites of film lovers before the summer’s blockbusters are ready.
In a move more suited to some of the films it puts on, Showcase Cinemas said it had invested in an ‘anti-viral fogging machine that eliminates airborne viruses on contact’.
The machine will be used on every seat between showings.
Hotels
Staycations are back on the agenda, with hotels, campsites and holiday cottages permitted as long as they comply with ‘Covid secure’ guidelines.
These guidelines include regular deep-cleaning of rooms and staff members required to wear facemasks when greeting guests.
However, the beloved hotel mini-bars and breakfast buffets have been banned, with tea and coffee sachets in bedrooms also either removed or quarantined for 72 hours between guests.
In better news, there should still be room service available, though you’ll have to take your own luggage into your room.
Camping sites
Camping sites and caravan parks were not expected to be reopened on July 4, but Boris Johnson’s announcement means Britons will be able to pitch up their tents this summer.
There will need to be round-the-clock cleaning of facilities with shared blocks thoroughly and regularly cleaned by operators.
Although the details have yet to be revealed, it is expected that tents will have to be put up at larger distances apart.
This could mean less capacity at sites.
Places of worship
The lockdown has had a significant impact on worshippers, with Easter and Ramadan and Eid among the religious events affected.
To the delight of many Britons, mass gatherings for prayers will be allowed from July 4, though distance will still have to be maintained.
And couples across the country will rejoice to know that weddings, as well as baptisms, will be allowed again, though guests will be limited to 30, which may cause altogether different issues.
Churches, mosques, synagogues and temples will be required to be regularly cleaned and provide facilities like sanitiser stations.
Singing will also be banned, to stop the potential spread of the virus.
Playgrounds and outdoor gyms
The risk of coronavirus transmission outdoors is thought to be low, paving the way for playgrounds and outdoor gyms to be reopened.
It is welcome news for parents, with many children still off school and will give them an opportunity to socialise.
Gym-goers will also be cheered by the news, though indoor gyms will still remain closed.
Libraries and community centres
Libraries will be reopened, with Cilip, the UK’s library and information, providing guidance for staff and members of the public.
Despite fears that handling books could pass on the virus, the body found that the risk of picking up a book handled by someone infected with Covid-19 is negligible after 24 hours. If covered in plastic, the risk is negligible after 72 hours.
This means books could be ‘quarantined’ after being returned with a delay before they are back on the shelves.
Libraries are also expected to set up appointments and click-and-collect systems to manage football and discourage browsing.
Bingo halls and community centres will also be able to open on July 4, provided social distancing is maintained.
Museums and galleries
In a less positive note, museums and galleries have warned that they may never be able to reopen because of the financial impact of the pandemic.
The heads of the Tate, National Gallery, British Museum, Victoria And Albert Museum, Science Museum Group and Natural History Museum are yet to confirm opening dates, despite being given government permission to open their doors on July 4.
When they do eventually open, they are expected to have to use appointment and booking systems.
Directors of the Museums Association, Sharon Heal, said visitors should expect a different experience when they do return.
She said: ‘Where they can, museums are planning measures such as one-way systems and timed entry, and implementing strict health and safety measures in line with Government guidance. For those museums that do reopen next month, the experience for visitors will be different – cafes, interactives and play areas might not be open, but the welcome from front of house staff will be as warm as ever.’
Funfairs, theme parks and model villages
Funfairs and adventure parks will be allowed to reopen on July 4, promising summer thrills and fun that many feared wouldn’t be available this year.
Model villages will also be allowed to reopen, as will inside areas of zoos that were not previously reopened.
Alton Towers has announced it will open most outdoor rides and attractions on July 4, as have Chessington, Thorpe Park and Legoland.
So what won’t be reopening?
Though the country is firmly back on the path to normality, several sectors will not be reopening on July 4.
The government feels that these areas are currently incompatible with social distancing measures, though Boris Johnson has promised to set up ‘taskforces’ to look into getting them up and running as soon as possible.
The following will remain closed:
- Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours.
- Bowling alleys
- Ice skating rinks
- Indoor play areas
- Spas
- Nail bars and beauty salons
- Nightclubs
- Indoor fitness and dance studios
- Indoor gyms and sports venues and facilities
- Exhibition and conference centres used for external events
- Swimming pools and water parks