From Saturday, 4th July, many businesses and venues will be permitted to re-open. This includes pubs, restaurants, hotels, and hairdressers. They will be expected to follow COVID-19 Secure guidelines.
We can only take these measures because of the hard work done by the British public in slowing the transmission of the virus. People should of course still observe a two-metre distance in accordance with the social distancing guidance where possible or, where this is not possible, then observe at least a one-metre distance with use of mitigating measures like screens, masks or gloves.
From 4th July, people will be able to meet indoors in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household). This includes inviting people from one household into your home or visiting the home of someone else with members of your own household. You should continue to maintain social distancing with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble when doing so. If you are in a support bubble you can continue to see each other without needing to maintain social distancing.
People can exercise or play sport in groups of up to 6 people from other households but should only do so where it is possible to maintain a 2-metre gap from those you do not live with. You will be able to play sport outdoors in groups of more than 6 people and without social distancing if they are all from our household or in your support bubble.
You can travel to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance, as long as you can return the same night and do not put others at risk because of services you may need in the time you are away. You should continue to avoid using public transport wherever possible and should cycle, walk or drive.
The more people you have interactions with, however, the more chance the virus can spread. Therefore, try to limit the number of people you see - especially over short periods of time. The risk of transmission is also higher indoors, so you should take extra care to stay as safe as possible.
If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household, or your support bubble, are self-isolating, you should stay at home – this is critical to staying safe and saving lives.
The full guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/opening-certain-businesses-and-venues-in-england-from-4-july-2020.
FAQs on what you can and cannot do beyond 4th July can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-after-4-july.