What are the new lockdown rules announced by Boris Johnson?

Today’s announcement of relaxations to lockdown mean that England will be able to return to something much closer to ordinary day to day life.

So what will change from 4 July?

The social distancing rule requiring people to remain two metres apart when meeting individuals from outside their household is being relaxed to “one-metre plus”, meaning it is possible to reduce the distance so long as other mitigating measures are taken, such as wearing mask and not facing one another, or remaining outdoors.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants are to reopen indoors and outdoors, conditional on being able to operate in a “Covid-secure” way. This will involve more ventilation and handwashing, as well as separation and screening of tables. There will be no propping up the bar or going to the counter to be served, with table service for all food and drinks. Guests will be required to leave their details on a register so they can be contacted in case of an outbreak. But face coverings will not be obligatory.

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, holiday homes, campsites and caravan parks can reopen. Campsites will be given guidance on maintaining safety in shared washing areas. However, hostels with shared sleeping areas will remain closed.

Changes to household separation rules will allow people to meet indoors – at home, in a restaurant or bar – with members of one other household, while observing social distancing and advice on protections such as regular handwashing. They will be able to stay overnight at one another’s homes. And this will include spending time together in shared holiday accommodation or neighbouring tents. This is not a “support bubble”, so households will be able to meet with a number of other households in sequence, with no requirement for a delay in between gatherings, allowing grandparents to see different sets of grandchildren at different times.

Outdoor meetings can take place of between up to six people from up to six households, or between two households of any size, subject to the one metre-plus rule.

The one-metre plus rule will apply on public transport, where face coverings will be mandatory.

Cinemas, museums and galleries will reopen, subject to social distancing guidelines. But theatres and concert halls will be permitted to show only video screenings of events, as live performances will remain banned because of the danger of spreading the infection through singing or actors declaiming their lines.

Other entertainment and leisure venues able to open their doors to visitors include bingo halls, theme parks, social clubs, libraries, community centres, model villages and indoor parts of zoos, such as aquariums and reptile houses.

Still closed will be nightclubs, casinos, bowling alleys, ice-skating rinks, tattoo and massage parlours and conference centres being used for exhibitions or entertainment.

Indoor gyms, swimming pools, indoor sports facilities and exercise studios remain closed, though councils can take down tape preventing use of outdoor gyms in parks. Outdoor playgrounds will reopen but indoor play facilities like ball-parks and soft play areas stay shut. Gyms are considered prime vectors for the virus because of the sweating, heavy breathing and touching of hard surfaces involved in a session on exercise equipment. Outdoor events like park runs and marathons remain banned because they are classed as mass gatherings.

Places of worship will be able to hold full services but there will be restrictions on singing or chanting because of the danger they could spread the virus.

Weddings can be held in places of worship with up to 30 people present, as can baptisms, bar mitzvahs and other ceremonies marking life events. But receptions are off, as the couple will be able to mingle with only one other household. Funerals continue to take place with only close family in attendance.

Hairdressers and barbers can reopen, but nail bars, beauty salons and spas stay off limits.

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk