Yesterday evening (22nd February) the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, outlined the long-awaited steps to exiting the current Covid-19 lockdown.
The key initial date for businesses is 12th April. Subject to various conditions being met regarding continued control of the virus:
- All shops allowed to open
- Restaurants and pub gardens will be allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors, including alcohol
- Gyms and spas can reopen for individuals and households
- Hairdressers, beauty salons and other “close contact services” can re-open
- UK domestic holidays away from home permitted, with self-contained accommodation able to reopen for use by members of the same household
- Children allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians allowed to join them
- Zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas can re-open
- Libraries and community centres can re-open
- Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
Unfortunately, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality will have to wait until 17th May before further lifting of restrictions allows them to start operating again – but only in a limited way.
Check out Prime Minister sets out roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for the full details.
The BBC also provides a very comprehensive summary here.
We now wait to hear what the Chancellor has to say next week about continuing financial support for businesses to see them through the next few weeks and months.