FROM THE NHS TO WORK AND SPORT...WHAT’S IN STORE FOR US

LIGHTNING LOCKDOWNS

From today, town halls will have greater powers to tackle local outbreaks of coronavirus

They will be able to close specific premises or public outdoor spaces, and cancel events, without having to apply to Government for permission

FROM NEXT WEEK MINISTERS CAN:

Close businesses and venues in whole sectors such as food production and non-essential retail, in a particular town or county

Impose restrictions on people leaving an area or staying overnight in someone else’s home

Limit the size of gatherings in a local area

Close down transport systems or restrict numbers

Mandate the wearing of face coverings in extra places

TESTING

NHS will increase testing capacity to half a million antigen tests a day by the end of October

Results for in-person tests will be returned the next day, to enable effective contact-tracing

A new marketing campaign to raise awareness about eligibility for testing, and more access to walk-in centres

HEALTH SERVICE

An extra £3billion to help the NHS cope with a potential second wave of coronavirus in the winter

The money will go towards ensuring the NHS can buy in capacity from the independent sector and maintain the Nightingale hospitals until the end of March

A new ‘enhanced discharge policy’ will mean patients can be sent home quickly and safely, thus freeing up beds

The cash will also help ensure hospitals and care homes have enough personal protective equipment

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Lifting of guidelines which state you should avoid public transport unless you really need to, such as going to work

Effective immediately, anyone will be able to go on trains and buses without having a specific reason

BACK TO WORK

Scrapping of Government guidelines that state everyone should work from home unless they cannot avoid going into the workplace

From August 1, employers will be given more discretion

It means they could ask workers to come back in to the office so long as they are implementing ‘Covid secure’ guidelines such as social distancing

LEISURE

Most leisure settings will be able to open from August 1

The list includes bowling alleys, ice skating rinks and casinos

But night clubs and soft play areas will have to stay shut for the time being

THEATRES AND SPORT

Indoor live performances will be able to start again from the beginning of August – subject to successful pilots

Social distancing will have to be in place

Sports stadia will also be able to open for games from October, again subject to pilots

From late July, these pilots will take place at stadia and business events to test different sizes of crowds and whether they are safe

WEDDING RECEPTIONS

Sit-down meals will be allowed after weddings – but for no more than 30 people

In later months, gatherings for meals could be allowed for other events such as birthday parties

And larger wedding receptions will be allowed eventually

SOCIAL DISTANCING

The Government hopes to ditch the social distancing guidelines entirely in November

Boris Johnson wants a return to ‘normality’ by Christmas – meaning people will be able to hug their family and friends over the festive season