Back precious arts sector as it reopens, says Minister
CULTURE SECRETARY Oliver Dowden urged the country to unite behind the arts sector yesterday as he announced outdoor performances would be allowed to go ahead and a reopening of leisure facilities.
Mr Dowden said “our culture, heritage and arts are too precious to lose” as he gave the go-ahead to outdoor performances from tomorrow, and he encouraged people to “work out to help out” when gyms and indoor swimming pools reopen from July 25. Beauty salons, tattooists, spas, and tanning salons have also been told they can welcome back customers.
Mr Dowden said: “At the beginning we all stayed at home to protect the NHS and save lives now the British public has a new part to play. It’s time to eat out to help out, to enjoy the arts to help out and to work out to help out.”
GYMS AND swimming pools can reopen and outdoor performances will be allowed under the latest easing of lockdown measures announced by the Government.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed yesterday that from July 25 indoor pools, gym, and other sports facilities will be allowed to open.
Outdoor pools can welcome swimmers back earlier, from tomorrow, at the same time as outdoors performances from theatres, opera, music and dance will also be permitted.
From Monday, beauticians, tattooists, spas, tanning salons and other close contact services can also reopen after hairdressers were given the go-ahead on Saturday.
Mr Dowden said: “I’m really urging people to get out there and to play their part –buy the tickets for outdoor plays and musical recitals, get to your local gallery and support your local businesses.
“Our fight began with a collective effort and I really hope it will end with one.”
Some restrictions remain as social distancing would be enforced and crowd sizes at outdoor events were limited. Indoor performances are also still banned as the coronavirus transmission risk is deemed too high.
Some 85 deaths were recorded of people who had previously tested positive for coronavirus yesterday, bringing the UK total to 44,602. In Yorkshire, 2,859 people have died – this rose by two yesterday.
But Mr Dowden said “good British decent common sense” had prevailed throughout the coronavirus crisis, and he hoped that would continue with the further reopening of businesses.
Asked about whether there will be sanctions for businesses or consumers who flout the rules, he said: “In terms of flouting the rules, I’ve been tremendously heartened by how the British people have behaved during this crisis.
“Good British decent common sense has prevailed throughout.
“Of course there have been pictures of occasional breaches, but if you look up and down the country, countless pubs, restaurants, other venues, people are observing those rules.
“And they’re observing those rules because they know it’s the right thing to do in order to protect us from this virus.”
He said if the virus starts to “spike again”, the Government will have to take “necessary measures”.
He also reassured the public that the major easing of the lockdown on Saturday to allow pubs and restaurants to reopen had not adversely affected the coronavirus fight.
He told the Downing Street press conference: “All the data is continuing to move in the right direction.
“Prior to July 4, we announced a number of easements. We haven’t seen as a result of those that the number is increasing. In fact it continues to decline.”
He said he had “further extensive conversations” with the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, before announcing the latest easings.