Shutters go up for shops and salons
A relaxation of the rules from Monday has allowed hairdressers and beauty salons to reopen while cafes, bars and restaurants can now serve people outdoors. Here is a list of the main changes which have happened this week...and some of the things we still
This Monday saw big changes to the lockdown laws as Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap to freedom continues thanks to falling numbers of deaths from coronavirus.
While schools are already back and people are now allowed to meet up outdoors and play various sports, much of the hospitality industry has been looking forward to Monday’s new relaxation, when shops, pubs, restaurants, gyms and other businesses will be able to partly or fully open again.
Social contact rules in England will not change further at this point - outdoor gatherings must still be limited to six people or two households as before, and no indoor mixing will be allowed.
But the re-opening of non-essential shops and other businesses will be a big change for town and city centres.
Here are all the things you can and can’t do from Monday. 1. Go out shopping
The change on Monday allows the reopening of non-essential retail.
That includes every kind of shop that is not allowed to open at the moment and most other businesses.
Until now these businesses have only been able to offer delivery and clickand-collect where that’s possible. At present, only those retail businesses deemed essential are able to open - such as supermarkets and corner shops, off-licences, pharmacies, newsagents, garden centres, post offices, launderettes and petrol stations.
DIY stores such as B&Q have also stayed open as essential suppliers of products and tools used in building work and repairs.
Vets, dentists, opticians and chiropractors have also kept trading, along with banks and building societies. 2. Rush back to the gym to get that lockdown body in shape again
Monday means gyms, spas, indoor swimming pools and leisure centres can reopen, so we can start to shift our lockdown pounds and get back in shape.
Riding arenas, archery centres, climbing walls, shooting ranges and dance studios are also reopening.
You can go to these places individually or in household groups. Exercise classes and any other group sessions cannot start up again yet.
Saunas, steam rooms and bowling alleys can’t reopen until May 17, however.
People are not required to wear face coverings while taking part in physical activity.
The guidance states: “All forms of face coverings may restrict breathing efficiency and should not be used during exercise except on specific advice from a physician.”
Outdoor facilities have already reopened on March 29, including tennis and basketball courts, bowling greens, golf courses and openair swimming pools. 3) Go for a pint or two in a beer garden
Pubs and bars are opening again - but only outdoor areas. That means you can sit out in beer gardens and terraces.
The rules on social contact will mean that you can only visit in groups of six or two households. Support bubbles count as a single household.
Pubs are also allowed to turn their car parks into makeshift outdoor seating spaces so they can get the drinks and cash flowing once again.
There will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcohol, and no curfew - although customers must order, eat and drink while seated. You’ll be able to walk through a pub to get to its outdoor space if it’s at the back, and can also nip inside to use the toilet.
Some pubs will require you to book online ahead of your visit, though people can go to Greene King pubs with or without an advance booking and Wetherspoon will instead operate a first come, first served policy.
There are around 37,500 pubs in England in total but it’s thought that just 40 per cent of those - 15,000 - have a big enough outdoor space or beer garden to welcome back drinkers and be financially viable, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
Pubs without beer gardens will also be allowed to start trading again by offering takeaway pints.
Indoor bar areas will remain closed until we reach Step 3 of the roadmap, which is no earlier than May 17. 4) Have an alfresco meal
Going out for a meal will be a possibility again but only outdoors if the restaurant has outdoor dining.
Outdoor areas can reopen to serve customers in groups of up to six people or two households. You’ll be able to go in to use toilets, baby changing rooms or breastfeeding rooms.
To be considered ‘outdoors’, any shelters, marquees and other structures provided for customers can have a roof but at least 50 per cent of the sides must be open at all times.
At any premises serving alcohol, customers will be required to order, be served and eat/drink while seated (even if no alcohol is ordered).
If a venue does not serve alcohol, customers will be able to order and collect food and drink from a counter but must consume it sitting down at a table. 5) Get your hair cut, beard trimmed and nails done
Many personal care services can reopen from April 12. That includes hairdressers, barbers, nail salons and tattoo parlours.
Strict Covid rules will be in place on face masks, cleaning and social distancing.
Mobile hairdressers, beauticians and nail technicians are included in this, with several saying they are taking bookings for April 12 and beyond. 6) Enjoy a staycation
For those who are desperate for a getaway after months of being confined at home, it’s good news that this is possible from April 12.
Overnight stays away from your home in self-contained accommodation will be allowed.
This means accommodation that does not require shared use of bathing, entry, catering or sleeping facilities. It must only be used by members of the same household.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club said it was reopening all its club campsites in England from April 12, including toilets and shared washing and cleaning facilities - but not showers. It said it would not be able to reopen its on-site showers until May 17.
7) Attend weddings in larger numbers and go to a wedding reception
At the moment up to six people can go to weddings and receptions aren’t allowed.
From April 12, up to 15 people are allowed to attend a wedding or civil partnership ceremony.
In addition, receptions will be able to take place again, with up to 15 people in the form of a sit-down meal in a Covid-secure outdoor venue. Receptions cannot take place in people’s private gardens or public outdoor spaces.
Rules on funerals haven’t changed. They still have a maximum of up to 30 mourners. However, the number who can attend a wake is going up from six to 15 people - but these still cannot take place in private homes. 8) Go to a zoo, theme park or other outdoor attraction
Outdoor attractions are able to open again from Monday.
That means you can book to go to such places as Twycross Zoo. However, any indoor spaces and enclosed areas at these visitor attractions will remain closed to the public or offer very limited access.
All indoor-based attractions like art galleries and aquariums won’t be able to reopen until May 17 at the earliest. 9) Have a night out at the movies in a drive-in cinema
While traditional cinemas won’t be able to reopen until May 17, there’s the option to go to a drive-in cinema from April 12.
In this region, the options include the Luna Drive-In Cinema at the NEC in Birmingham from April 15 to May 3. 10) Go to parent and toddler groups
Parent and child groups of up to 15 people - not counting children aged under five - can restart indoors. from Monday.
They could previously only take place outdoors. 11) Take the kids to indoor children’s activities
From April 12, all children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity, including sport. These activities could previously only take place outdoors. 12) Take driving lessons and some vehicle tests
The pandemic put the brakes on driving lessons and tests in December, leaving thousands of people waiting for news on when they will get going again.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will let lessons go ahead from Monday, as well as theory tests and various tests for larger vehicles and motorbikes. However, standard driving tests will only begin again on April 22.