England eases social distancing restrictions
Country shrinks buffer to one metre ‘plus’
LONDON • Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson said pubs, restaurants and hotels could reopen in England early next month, easing the coronavirus lockdown that has all but shut the economy.
In other signs of a gradual return to normal life, hairdressers will open again along with tourist attractions like theme parks, but nightclubs, indoor gyms and swimming pools will stay closed.
Johnson has been under pressure from businesses and from members of his governing Conservative Party to relax the lockdown, but until now he had resisted for fear of prompting a second wave.
On Tuesday, he said with infection rates falling and little current threat of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, he could reopen swaths of the economy. More than 306,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus in the country.
By relaxing the rule on
social distancing from two metres to one metre plus, with the “plus” meaning measures like wearing masks and using protective screens, Johnson said many businesses could reopen from July 4.
“All hospitality indoors will be limited to table service, and our guidance will encourage minimal staff and customer contact.”
He encouraged people to return to England’s pubs, but said they should act responsibly and that those
enjoying the British tradition of a pint should give their names on arrival.
The changes will allow two households to meet in any setting, and all schools will reopen in September, he said, adding that laws specifying social contact would be replaced with the new guidance.
Business cautiously welcomed the measures. Adam Marshall, director general
of the British Chambers of
Commerce, said: “We are still a long way from busi
ness as usual. Broader efforts
to boost business and consumer confidence will still be needed.”
More than 42,900 people have died from COVID-19
in Britain, but the number
of cases has been steadily falling. Health officials on Monday reported just 15 new deaths, the lowest rise since mid-march.
Johnson said lockdown measures might need to be reintroduced if there were a second spike.