"Better days lie ahead": Government confirms night-time business restrictions to be lifted

The government has confirmed that final Covid-19 restrictions across the country will be lifted on July 19.

Sajid Javid, health secretary, announced in Parliament today (July 12) that nighttime industries will be allowed to reopen from next week, putting an end to more than a year of closures for some venues.

The secretary explained that waiting to lift restrictions could push the virus towards the winter, when it would it be more harmful.

He said that this is “the right time to get our nation closer to normal life”, adding that it is the “most responsible decision we can take”.

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), commented: “The decision to go ahead with reopening on July 19 is the correct one.

“After 16 months of crippling restrictions, businesses in the night time economy are ready to play our part in the safe reopening of society.

“Today should mark the beginning of nightlife’s long journey to rebuild itself.

“There are some important hurdles ahead for our sector, including changes to the isolation rules which have the potential to throw the recovery off course, but for those businesses that have made it this far in the pandemic, I feel confident that the sense of community and togetherness the sector has shown to this point will help us overcome these challenges.

“We look forward to the government providing more guidance for businesses owners - this should be practical and easy to navigate.

“But from today’s statement we can say that the government are right not to mandate the use of Covid status certification systems.

“Much of the night time economy relies on spontaneous consumers, and by permitting businesses to opt out, the government have allowed for this trade to continue.”

“Representing a sector that has shown such resilience in the face of adversity has been humbling for me personally – and I think now we can say, with more confidence than at any point previously during the pandemic, that better days lie ahead.”