Workplace canteens to reopen along with restaurants and cafes from July 4

WORKPLACE canteens will be able to reopen along with restaurants and cafes from July 4, the PM has said.

Workers who have returned to offices or who cannot be able to work from home will be able to ditch the packed lunch and have food from their canteen from next week.

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Workplace canteens will be allowed to reopen again on July 4Credit: Bethany Clarke – The Times

The PM said today: “We will also reopen restaurants and pubs/

“All hospitality indoors will be limited to table service and our guidance will encourage minimal staff and customer contact.

“We will ask businesses to help NHS test and trace in any way they can.”

He added that office layouts would have to change, better ventilation put in, and protective screens and face coverings used where possible.

Diners at workplace canteens will have to follow social distancing and and they will have to limit how many people are allowed in at any one time.

It comes as Mr Johnson announced cinemas, hairdressers, pubs, restaurants and hotels are all able to open.

He also said people could form bubbles – meaning they can stay over at another person’s house, and go indoors, if they stay 1 metre apart.

COVID-19 deaths have hit a record low since lockdown started over the last few days – in a hopeful sign Britain is on its way back to normal.

The changes are based on evidence that shows the virus has dropped to just one in 1,700 people in the first half of June, down from one in 400.

Offices all have to follow strict guidance to ensure workplaces are “COVID-secure” to keep their employees safe.

Brits are still advised to work from home unless they cannot do so.

But offices which have reopened must stagger employee break times and try and make sure their staff are not travelling at peak times to avoid overloading public transport.

Boris announced the 2 metre rule will also be cut down to 1 metre – meaning more people can return to desks safely.

Other venues including nightclubs, indoor gyms and nail and beauty salons will have to stay closed.