Prime Minister's Statement

Following Boris Johnson’s speech in the House of Commons this afternoon, please see below a summary of the new measures applicable from 4 July 2020.

Please note these measures apply to England only.

Toplines

• They do not currently think there is a high risk of a second wave
• “Caution will remain our watchword and every stage is conditional and reversable”
• The 2m social distancing guidance will be reduced to 1m from 4 July
• People should remain at least one metre apart. The fewer social contacts you have, the safer you will be.
• The Government will publish guidance for business later today. This will involve providing hygiene facilities, changing shift and seating patterns etc.
• A summary of the review on social distancing guidance will be published this week
• They will be advising people to follow guidance rather than legislation.
• Two households from 4 July can meet in any settings inside. They do not need to be the same two households each time. But they are not recommending multiple meetings of multiple households indoors.
• One household will be able to stay overnight at another
• Outside the guidance remains that people can meet in groups of up to 6.
• All guidance – for pubs, restaurants etc – will allow for table service
• Hospitality will be required to collect contact details from customers
• Schools in England will be reopening in September for primary and secondary school pupils in full

From 4 July the following would be permitting to open if they are Covid secure (the full list is taken from briefing given to the media):

• Hotels, hostels bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses
• Places of Worship (Weddings of up to 30 people allowed – providing social distancing)
• Libraries
• Community Centres
• Restaurants, Cafes and Workplace Canteens
• Bars
• Pubs
• Cinemas
• Bingo Halls
• Theatres and concert halls [guidance dictates no live performances]
• Museums and galleries
• Hair salons and barbers
• Outdoor playgrounds
• Outdoor gyms
• Funfairs,  theme parks and adventure parks and activities
• Amusement arcades
• Outdoor skating rinks
• Other indoor leisure centres or facilities, including indoor games, recreation and entertainment venues
• Social Clubs
• Model villages
• Indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres and any place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction

The following would be/remain closed by law:

• Nightclubs
• Casinos
• Bowling alleys and indoor skating rinks
• Indoor play areas including soft-play
• Spas
• Nail bars (to be reopened when they can be in a secure way)
• Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
• Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities
• Swimming pools and water parks
• Exhibition or Conference Centres – where they are to be used for exhibitions or conferences, other than for those who work for that venue.