End of ‘national hibernation’ is in sight, claims Prime Minister
THE PRIME Minister has said the “national hibernation” caused by the coronavirus lockdown can finally begin to end as he announced sweeping changes to guidelines allowing pubs to re-_ open and families to be reunited.
Boris Johnson yesterday said “life is returning to our streets” but warned that the virus was still not defeated and vigilance was required.
Under the easing of restrictions, indoor gatherings involving two separate households will be permitted, including the possibility of staying overnight in homes, hotels or B&Bs, but social distancing will need to be maintained.
Where the two-metre rule cannot be applied it will be replaced with a “one metre-plus” measure, with the protection offered by the physical distance enhanced by other mitigation measures such as the use of face coverings, increased hygiene or layout changes in premises.
Mr Johnson acknowledged that the two-metre rule “effectively makes life impossible for large parts of our economy”. The hospitality industry had warned that pubs and restaurants would go to the wall if the measure remained in place.
The Prime Minister said “difficult judgments” had to be made and “every step is scrupulously weighed against the evidence”. He added: “Our principle is to trust the British public to use their common sense in the full knowledge of the risks, remembering that the more we open up, the more vigilant we will need to be.”
From July 4, two households of any size will be permitted to meet in any setting – inside or out.
“It will be possible to meet one set of grandparents one weekend, the others the following weekend,” he said.
Pubs and restaurants will be limited to table service and will be asked to collect customers’ details so they can be traced if there is a coronavirus outbreak. Hairdressers will also be able to reopen with precautions including the use of visors.
The domestic tourist industry will be boosted by the reopening of accommodation including hotels, B&Bs and campsites along with most leisure facilities and attractions such as theme parks.
And cinemas, museums and galleries will be allowed to open their doors again. Places of worship will also reopen, with weddings of up to 30 people allowed.
However businesses including nightclubs, soft play centres, indoor gyms, nail bars and beauty salons will remain shut as will bowling alleys and water parks. Live performances at concert halls and theatres are also still banned, partly due to the risk posed by singing in spreading the virus.
Mr Johnson said the measures will help restore a sense of normality after “the toughest restrictions in peacetime history”. But he said the virus has not gone away and the Government “will not hesitate to apply the brakes and reintroduce restrictions – even at national level – if required”.
Our principle is to trust the British public to use their common sense. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.