Major reopening in England as two metre rule is cut to one

Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving a statement in the House of Commons on the reduction of lockdown measures in England

Hospitality venues will be required to demonstrate they are ‘Covid safe’ by implementing a new standard of ‘one metre plus’ - maintaining distance of at least one metre between patrons, with additional measures to combat the virus like table service, plastic screens, staggered shift patterns and providing hand sanitiser.

Two households will also be able to meet indoors while observing social distancing, and individuals will be able to spend the night outside their home - but physical contact like hugging is still banned.

Outdoors, restrictions will be eased so that up to six people from six different households can meet. Indoors, only two different households will be able to meet - so visits to the pub or staycations will be limited to people from two homes.

The announcement signals the reopening of a swathe of the hospitality and tourism industries in England - but many venues have warned that it may still be uneconomical to operate under one metre plus.

Warning that the changes could be reversed if there is a second spike in coronavirus cases, Boris Johnson told the House of Commons: “Today, we can say that our long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end and life is returning to our shops, streets and homes.

“A new, but cautious, optimism is palpable. But it would be all too easy for that frost to return, and that is why we will continue to trust in the common sense and the community spirit of the British people to follow this guidance, to carry us through and see us to victory over this virus.”

Places of worship will reopen for prayer services and ceremonies including weddings, christenings and bar mitzvahs will be permitted, but with a limit of 30 people taking part.

Campsites and caravan parks will be allowed to welcome visitors, provided they can ensure their communal facilities are Covid safe. Hairdressers will be allowed to operate in England from 4 July, but a number of venues will remain closed, including indoor gyms and swimming pools, casinos, massage parlours and nail bars.

Theatres and music venues will be allowed to reopen, but only for pre-recorded performances due to fears of the risk to performers, especially as singing produces large amounts of respiratory droplets that transmit the disease. The UK Government will consult with industries still affected by lockdown on how they can adapt to protect against the spread of the virus and reopen.

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