PRIME Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the roadmap out of lockdown in February and this included what businesses will stay closed for now.
The PM detailed his plan for how England will ease out of coronavirus restrictions in an address to the nation last month, and we have already begun to see changes take effect.
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The roadmap out of lockdown is happening in stages, meaning businesses won’t reopen at the same time.
It is also dependent on coronavirus cases remaining under control and the vaccine rollout staying on target.
In his address last month, the PM revealed the earliest possible dates for unlocking the country which came into force when students returned to England schools on March 8.
The Prime Minister said at the time: “The threat remains substantial with the numbers in hospital only now beginning to fall below the peak of the first wave.
“But we are able to take these steps because of the resolve of the British people and the extraordinary success of our NHS in vaccinating more than 17.5 million people across the UK.”
The “Rule of Six” is the next thing set to return from March 29, as we are able to meet in parks and private gardens from the date, as well as outdoor sports returning too.
Hairdressers will open from April 12 along with gyms and pubs will reopen for indoor drinking in May, as well as their outdoor service returning in April too.
Brits will be able to meet inside from May 17 while following the rule of 6 or two households.
And working from home measures will remain in place until at least June.
Nightclubs will reopen on June 21 as the lockdown is lifted into summer.
But plans of holidays abroad have been dashed until at least July with a £5,000 fine slapped on anyone going away any earlier than that.
What four tests does the gov need to pass before easing restrictions?
1. The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
4. Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern.
Businesses that can’t reopen until April 12
As long as strict conditions are met, Mr Johnson said non-essential retailers can reopen from this date as part of his roadmap.
This is understood to include:
- Clothing shops
- Homeware shops
- Toy shops
- Vehicle showrooms (other than for rental)
- Betting shops
- Tailors
- Tobacco and vape shops
- Electronic goods shops
- Mobile phone shops
- Auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment)
- Market stalls selling non-essential goods
The list above is based on shops that have been described as “non-essential” by the government during this lockdown, so these are expected to reopen.
These businesses have only been allowed to stay open for home delivery and click and collect.
Essential shops that have been open throughout lockdown include ones that sell important goods like food, medicines and DIY items for home repairs.
Other businesses that are expected to reopen on this date as part of the plans include:
- Pubs (outdoor service only)
- Restaurants (outdoor service only)
- Hairdressers
- Gyms (indoor exercising – but no classes)
- Beauty salons
- Spas
- Libraries
- Theme parks
- Drive-in cinemas
- Drive-in performances
- Zoos
- Community centres
Brits wanting to cut their lockdown locks will also have to wait until at least April 12 for hairdressers and barbers to reopen.
Other personal care facilities that are set to welcome customers back on this date include salons and spas – but steam rooms and saunas won’t reopen until at least May.
If all goes to plan, pubs and restaurants will be able to open on April 12 at the earliest – but they’ll only be able to serve drinks outdoors.
They won’t be able to reopen fully for indoor drinking and eating until at least May.
While pubs and restaurants are open for outdoor-use only, punters will be subject to table service, although they will be able to order takeaway pints and don’t have to buy food.
The 10pm curfew is also being scrapped.
Businesses reopening on May 17
- Pubs (indoor serving)
- Restaurants (indoor serving)
- Steam rooms
- Saunas
- Cinemas
- Bingo halls
- Bowling alleys
- Big events (with capacity)
- Sports stadiums (with capacity)
As part of the roadmap schedule, businesses that rely on an indoor setting will be allowed to open their doors to customers again from May 17 at the earliest.
This is expected to include pubs and restaurants, both of which would be allowed dine-in customers from this date once again.
It is understood big events and sports stadiums could be allowed from this date, but with capacity limits in place.
Up to 10,000 people are expected to be allowed in outdoor spaces where people can spread out, or up to 4,000 people, or 50% capacity, in stadiums.
Indoor events will be capped at 1,000 people, or 50%.
Gigs are likely to restart from June 21 at the earliest, but could get the go-ahead with limits on numbers and social distancing from May.
Other businesses that are expected to be allowed to reopen include indoor entertainment, such as cinemas and bingo halls.
Businesses that can’t reopen until June 21
Again, as long as strict conditions allow, all other restrictions could be lifted from June 21 at the earliest, paving the way for Brits to feel a sense of normality by July.
From June 21, the PM has confirmed that nightclubs could finally be allowed to reopen.
Weddings and funerals are also expected to be allowed to go ahead without restrictions from June 21 at the earliest.
By the end of July, every adult is expected to have been offered a Covid jab first dose.
It means by this point, other businesses that weren’t mentioned as part of the roadmap should be open by then, if all goes to plan.
However, the roadmap can be altered by the PM if coronavirus cases start rising or the vaccine programme misses targets.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about “non-essential” shops reopening.
Gyms reopening explained: here’s what fitness fans should be aware of.
The PM originally told ministers there would be no backsliding on his goal of getting kids back to class from March 8 – despite a mutiny by Sage scientists.
