All shops can reopen on June 15 as retail recovery begins
ALL non-essential retailers in England will be able to reopen on June 15 as long as social distancing measures are imposed, Boris Johnson has announced.
Outdoor markets and car showrooms can start trading again from next Monday, the prime minister added.
The move is conditional on the rate of coronavirus infections going down and shoppers and workers being protected.
Non-essential retailers include shops selling clothes, toys, furniture, books, electronics, and indoor markets. Openair food markets have been allowed to stay in business during the lockdown, so it is thought the announcement relates to non-food stalls.
The government said it would be publishing guidelines for retailers with further details about the proposals soon to give them time to prepare.
However, reports said that hairdressers and beauty salons will not be allowed to reopen under the plans.
Mr Johnson told yesterday’s coronavirus briefing: ‘We will set out our formal assessment of the five tests that we set for adjusting the lockdown later this week as part of the three-weekly review we are legally required to undertake by Thursday.
‘But because of the progress we are making I can, with confidence, put the British people on notice of the changes we intend to introduce as we move to step two.’
Mr Johnson added that authorities would have powers to issue fines and close stores which fail to follow official guidelines. He also urged people to go to the shops to help the economy bounce back ‘over the next few months’.