Guidance on the further easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions from 4 July 2020.

On 23 March 2020, the government introduced restrictions on which businesses and venues were required to close in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). A number of businesses providing essential goods and services were and continue to be permitted to remain open.

Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the British people, and despite a tragic loss of life, the UK slowed the spread of coronavirus.  Following earlier easements in May and June, from the 4 July, further businesses and venues will be allowed to open.

Re-opening of businesses and venues from 4 July

On 23 June 2020, the Prime Minister announced further easements of the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions as part of Step Three of the government’s plan to return life to as near normal as we can.

In addition, all businesses and venues can reopen from 4 July, except for the list below, which remain closed in law:

• Nightclubs
• Casinos
• Bowling alleys and Indoor skating rinks
• Indoor play areas including soft-play
• Spas
• Nail bars, beauty salons and tanning salons
• Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
• Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities
• Swimming pools including water parks
• Exhibition or conference centres must remain closed for events such as exhibitions or conferences, other than for those who work for the business or organisation who run the venue.

Cafes, restaurants and shops that are self-contained and can be accessed from the outside, will still be permitted to open.

We continue to phase reopening and we will hope to reopen other close-contact businesses as soon as possible.

All other businesses and venues can reopen from 4 July. Examples are shown below including links to guidance to ensure their safe-reopening.

Business or venueGuidance for re-opening safely

Food and drink

All indoor and outdoor hospitality that are self-contained and can be accessed from the outside. This includes, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and workplace canteens - People should only visit a restaurant in their household groups (or support bubbles), or with one other household, or with up to five other people outdoors.

Further guidance coming soon

Accommodation

Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses - The government strongly advises that shared sleeping spaces (i.e. dormitory rooms) should not open to any groups, except those travelling within the current government guidance on social mixing outside of household groups.

Other shared facilities (including shared showers and kitchens, but not toilets) should not open, except on campsites (and only in accordance with government guidelines for cleaning and usage)

Further guidance coming soon

Non-residential institutions

Places of worship - Further guidance coming soon

Community centres - The government strongly advises against community centres opening for indoor fitness and sport activity.

Further guidance coming soon

Libraries

Personal care

Hair salons and barbers, including mobile businesses - These businesses must not provide services which remain prohibited in regulations including nail, beauty and tanning services.

Further guidance coming soon

Recreation and leisure

Cinemas, theatres and concert halls - Further guidance coming soon

At this time, venues should not permit live performances, including drama, comedy and music, to take place in front of a live audience. This is important to mitigate the risks of aerosol transmission - from either the performer(s) or their audience. There will be further guidance setting out how performing arts activity can be managed safely in other settings, for instance rehearsing or broadcast without an audience.

Funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities

Outdoor gyms and playgrounds

Museums and galleries

Bingo halls

Outdoor skating rinks

Amusement arcades and other entertainment centresClose contact activity such as visiting an entertainment centre should only be conducted within a household group/bubble or with one other household/bubble.

Certain activities that take place in these venues, including indoor sports and fitness are advised not to take place.

Model villages

Social clubs

Indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres and any place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction

Indoor and outdoor areas of visitor attractions including, gardens, heritage sites, film studios and landmarks

Track and trace

The opening up of the economy following the COVID-19 outbreak is being supported by NHS Test and Trace. You should assist this service by keeping a temporary record of your customers and visitors for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for your business, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. This could help contain clusters or outbreaks. Many businesses that take bookings already have systems for recording their customers and visitors – including restaurants, hotels, and hair salons. If you do not already do this, you should do so to help fight the virus. We will work with industry and relevant bodies to design this system in line with data protection legislation, and set out details shortly.

Published 23 June 2020