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Read MoreStep 2 of Roadmap confirmed: Non-essential businesses reopening on 12th April
Step 2 of Roadmap confirmed: Non-essential businesses reopening on 12th April
The ‘four tests’ of assessment for Step 2 of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown have been passed. This means Monday 12th April 2021 will see many businesses reopening.
Twice weekly rapid tests will be available to everyone from 9 April.
12 April will see the opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres.
Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.
Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors at Step 2 and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’).
Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.
While funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15.
Click here for a full list of what you can and cannot do from Monday 12th April 2021.
Step 3 – No earlier than 17th May
Outdoor restrictions will be lifted to a limit of 30 people, and the rule of six will be applied indoors, including hospitality.
Indoor businesses such as sports stadiums, cinemas, hotels, children’s play areas and theatres may reopen – depending on capacity size of the venue to ensure COVID measures can still be followed (see below chart for more information).
Weddings and other significant life events have a maximum of 30 attendees.
International travel may be permitted from this point, subject to review.
Step 4 – No earlier than 21st June
Remove all legal limits on social contact, weddings and other life events may go to full capacity again.
All remaining businesses will be reopened including nightclubs and large events such as concerts and theatre performances may go ahead. There may be a testing facility for these to reduce the risk of infection.
Click here to see the full roadmap.
Responding to the news that phase 2 of the roadmap out of lockdown for England will go ahead on April 12, Claire Walker, Co-Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“This is great news. Many firms will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that they will soon be able to reopen their doors to customers. The last year has taken a heavy toll on firms across the country and they will be counting down the hours until they can begin trading and rebuilding their businesses.
“However, the route back to a full reopening of the economy is still a long way off, with continued uncertainty for some sectors about whether, and when, the next roadmap steps will be met, and many more firms asking questions, yet to be answered, about when they can open at full capacity or with fewer restrictions.
“The latest BCC Quarterly Economic Survey has shown that businesses are becoming more optimistic about the future. But that confidence is fragile and absolute clarity and honesty will be needed every step of the way over the weeks ahead, so that companies have a fighting chance to rebuild.
“To translate hope of renewal into reality there must be a coherent strategy for growth which empowers and enables businesses to lead the economic recovery from Covid-19. Firms will need time to get back on their feet, with the security of knowing Government will support them should the roadmap falter.”
“To translate hope of renewal into reality there must be a coherent strategy for growth which empowers and enables businesses to lead the economic recovery from Covid-19."
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