Pubs reopening, households uniting and social distancing reduced to one metre plus: Five key points from Boris Johnson's lockdown easing speech

Boris Johnson has announced that lockdown restrictions in England will ease further from July 4 – here are the five key points.
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1. Pubs can reopen but MUST collect contact details.

Boris Johnson told the Commons that restaurants and pubs will be allowed to reopen, but contact details should be collected in order to trace people if any outbreak occurs.

He said: “I can tell the House that we will also reopen restaurants and pubs. All hospitality indoors will be limited to table service and our guidance will encourage minimal staff and customer contact.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving a statement in the House of Commons, London, on the reduction of further lockdown measures. Photo: House of Commons/PA WirePrime Minister Boris Johnson giving a statement in the House of Commons, London, on the reduction of further lockdown measures. Photo: House of Commons/PA Wire
Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving a statement in the House of Commons, London, on the reduction of further lockdown measures. Photo: House of Commons/PA Wire
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“We will ask businesses to help NHS Test and Trace respond to any local outbreaks by collecting contact details from customers as happens in other countries and we will work with the sector to make this manageable.”

2. Households can reunite – but only two at a time

Boris Johnson said that from July 4, two households of any size should be able to meet in any setting.

Families can be reunited and dinner parties will be allowed as England's coronavirus lockdown is eased – but millions of people will still be unable to hug their loved ones.

The Prime Minister said: “From now on, we will ask people to follow guidance on social contact instead of legislation.

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“In that spirit, we advise that from July 4, two households of any size should be able to meet in any setting inside or out.

“That does not mean they must always be the same two households, it will be possible for instance to meet one set of grandparents one weekend, the others the following weekend.

“But we are not recommending meetings of multiple households indoors because of the risk of creating greater chains of transmission.”

3. Social distancing rule relaxed – but people should remain two-metres apart if possible

The Prime Minister said the two-metre rule will be reduced to "one metre-plus" from July 4.

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He told the Commons: "Given the significant fall in the prevalence of the virus we can change the two-metre social distancing rule from July 4."

He added: "Where it is possible to keep two metres apart, people should.

"But where it is not, we will advise people to keep a social distance of one metre-plus, meaning they should remain one metre apart while taking mitigations to reduce the risk of transmission."

4. Hotels, campsites, holiday parks and more can reopen IF they are ‘Covid-secure’

Many venues and businesses will be allowed to reopen, as long as they are "Covid-secure", for example by maintaining social distancing.

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These include hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses. Shared facilities must be kept very clean.

Mr Johnson said: "Most leisure facilities and tourist attractions will reopen if they can do so safely including outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, themes parks and arcades as well as libraries, social clubs and community centres.”

He added: “We will also work with the arts industry on specific guidance to enable choirs, orchestras and theatres to resume live performances as soon as possible.

"Recreation and sport will be allowed, but indoor facilities including changing rooms and courts will remain closed and people should only play close contact team sports with members of their household."

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Social clubs, model villages and indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres, and any place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction, can reopen.

5. Nightclubs, casinos and indoor gyms among several venues to remain shut

Boris Johnson confirmed that some venues must stay shut, including nightclubs, casinos, bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, and indoor play areas including softplays.

The Prime Minister said: "Close proximity venues such as nightclubs, soft play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools and spas will, I'm afraid, need to remain closed for now, as will bowling alleys and water parks.”

Nail bars and beauty salons must also stay closed for now, as must massage, tattoo and piercing parlours.

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Exhibition or conference centres that are to be used for exhibitions or conferences must also stay closed.

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