Lockdown restrictions ease: Prime Minister announces leisure businesses to reopen as employers take ownership over homeworking

The government has today outlined its plans for the easing of lockdown restrictions in the UK.

In an announcement today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the country could see a “significant return to normality” by Christmas this year, and outlined new guidance on social distancing measures.

From 1 August, the government will give employers more discretion over whether staff should still be working from home.

Until now, it has been the government’s stance that people should work from home where possible.

The announcement also revealed that travel restrictions will be lifted immediately, with anybody now able to use public transport.

There will be further restrictions lifting on 1 August, with leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos set to reopen, as well as businesses such as beauticians.

The key points from today’s announcement include:

• Anybody may now use public transport
• From 1 August, employers may decide whether staff will continue to work from home.
• Also from 1 August, most remaining leisure settings and beauticians will reopen (including bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos).
• Live indoor performances will be piloted.
• Wedding receptions will now be allowed for up to 30 people.
• From October, stadium events and conferences will be brought back (subject to trials). Nightclubs and soft play areas will remain closed.

Mr Johnson said: “From today we are making clear that anybody may use public transport, while of course encouraging people to consider alternative means of transport where they are available.

“From 25 July, we have already committed to reopening the indoor gyms, pools and other sports facilities.

“From 1 August, we will update our advice on going to work.

“Instead of government telling people to work from home, we are going to give employers more discretion, and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely.

“That could mean of course continuing to work from home, which is one way of working safely and which has worked for many employers and employees.

“Or it could mean making workplaces safe by following Covid Secure guidelines. Whatever employers decide, they should consult closely with their employees, and only ask people to return to their place of work if it is safe.

“As we reopen our society and economy, it’s right that we give employers more discretion while continuing to ensure employees are kept safe.

“Also from 1 August, we will reopen most remaining leisure settings, namely bowling, skating rinks and casinos, and we will enable all close contact services such as beauticians to resume.

“Nightclubs and soft play areas will sadly need to remain closed for now – although this will be kept under review.

“We will restart indoor performances to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia, with a view to wider reopening in the Autumn.

“We will also allow wedding receptions for up to 30 people. All of these measures for 1 August should be done in a Covid Secure way.

“In September, schools, nurseries and colleges will be open for all children and young people on a full-time basis, as planned. And universities are also working to reopen as fully as possible.

“From October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadia and to allow conferences and other business events to recommence – again, these changes must be done in a Covid Secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots.

“Throughout this period, we will look to allow more close contact between friends and family when we can.

“It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest – possibly in time for Christmas.”