CINEMAS, bingo halls and hotels are among the list of businesses that can reopen on May 17 when Covid restrictions ease further.
But not all businesses will be able to welcome back customers tomorrow. Below we explain which ones can and can’t return.
🔵 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
1
Some businesses have already reopened, such as non-essential retailers and pubs and restaurants that have outdoor seating areas.
Tomorrow, businesses which rely on an indoor setting can reopen under the third stage of Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.
This means boozers will be able to serve punters inside for the first time in months.
Stadiums can also reopen for sports and performances – although capacity limits will be in place.
What four tests does the gov need to pass before the next stage of restrictions is eased?
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. Assessments of the risks are not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern.
Which businesses can’t open on May 17?
- Nightclubs
- Strip clubs
- Larger events
While many businesses are set to reopen tomorrow, some will have to wait until June 21 at the earliest to reopen.
This is when all restrictions are currently set to lift, and Brits will be able to return back to normal.
By the end of July, every adult is expected to have been offered a first dose of the Covid jab.
If you want to go clubbing, you won’t be able to do so until June 21 at the earliest – if the PM’s roadmap out of lockdown goes according to plan.
This is due to the difficulty of making them Covid-secure due to limited social distancing and it’s harder to keep areas clean constantly.
Meanwhile, strip club customers are set to be required to show Covid vaccine passports when they reopen next month.
Larger events are also set to return from June 21, as all other restrictions are set to be axed.
So far none of the dates have been pushed back, but the roadmap can be altered by the PM if coronavirus cases start rising or the vaccine programme misses targets.
Earlier this week, the PM hinted that lockdown easing may be delayed beyond June 21, as he vowed to “rule nothing out” to combat the Indian Covid strain.
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)
Businesses that rely on an indoor setting will be allowed to open their doors to customers again from tomorrow, May 17.
This will include pubs and restaurants, both of which would be allowed dine-in customers from this date.
Some larger events will finally also kickstart again.
Indoor events such as gigs will have a capacity limit of 1,000, or 50% – whichever is the smaller number.
Meanwhile, outdoor events will be able to welcome up 4,000 or 50% capacity.
But outdoor events which are seated, such as football matches, will be capped at 10,000 or 25%.
Other businesses that will be allowed to reopen at this time include indoor entertainment, such as cinemas and bingo halls.
Businesses which reopened on April 12
A number of businesses opened on April 12.
- 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
Other businesses that were allowed to reopen on April 12 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
Pubs face a beer shortage as they prepare to reopen for indoor service from tomorrow, the boss of Young’s has warned.
We explain all the rules you need to follow if you’re planning a trip.
Meanwhile, working from home measures will remain in place until at least June.
