Boris Johnson Announces Major Changes to Coronavirus Lockdown in England

Strategic Insights -

Boris Johnson is set to announce major changes to the coronavirus lockdown in England, with cinemas, museums, and galleries to reopen on Saturday 4 July, and pubs, hairdressers, hotels, and restaurants to follow shortly. The Prime Minister will announce the results of a rapid review into the two-metre rule, which is expected to be cut to a metre or a 'metre plus'. The changes aim to ease the lockdown in England, but the government has urged people to continue following social distancing guidelines to prevent the virus from running out of control.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cinemas, galleries, and museums will reopen on Saturday 4 July, with guidance on how to keep them safe to be published shortly, including one-way systems, spaced queuing, increased ventilation, and pre-booked tickets.
  • Pubs, hairdressers, hotels, and restaurants are expected to reopen soon, with a possible announcement due to be made to Parliament this lunchtime.
  • The two-metre rule is expected to be cut, with a rapid review led by No10 finding that the risk of catching coronavirus from someone is 10 to 30 times higher at one metre away compared to two metres away.
  • Shielding will be eased for 2.2 million vulnerable people in England, with shielding people allowed to meet up to five friends outside from July 6.
  • Statutory Sick Pay and direct food parcels for the shielding will end on August 1, prompting alarm.
  • People may be able to gather in larger groups or form larger 'bubbles', with Boris Johnson considering new ways to relax the rules as part of the wider announcement on easing lockdown.
  • Tourism is expected to restart, with hotels, caravan sites, or campsites possibly reopening for staycations in stages from July 4 onwards.
  • The first review of the quarantine policy is due tomorrow, with the possibility of scrapping the 14-day self-isolation rule for certain countries that form a quarantine-free "air bridge" with the UK.

Statistics:

  • 2.2 million people will be eased out of shielding in England, with this figure including vulnerable individuals who have been advised to stay indoors since the start of the pandemic.
  • 14 days: the current self-isolation rule for anyone arriving in the UK, including returning Brits, which is expected to be scrapped for certain, named countries that form a quarantine-free "air bridge" with the UK.
  • June 8: the date when anyone arriving in the UK, including returning Brits, had to start self-isolating for 14 days, as part of the UK's quarantine policy.
  • June 13: the date when two households in England were allowed to join together permanently, allowing those inside to break social distancing rules.
  • July 4: the date when cinemas, galleries, and museums are expected to reopen in England, with pubs, hairdressers, hotels, and restaurants to follow shortly.
  • July 6: the date when shielding people will be allowed to meet up to five friends outside in England.
  • July 13: the date when static caravans, self-contained cottages, and hotels with en-suite bathrooms are expected to reopen in Wales.

Sources:

  • BBC News, 2020: "Boris Johnson to announce major changes to lockdown in England"
  • The Daily Telegraph, 2020: "Boris Johnson to cut two-metre rule as he eases lockdown"
  • The Mirror, 2020: "Shielding to be eased as two households allowed to join permanently"
  • Scottish Government, 2020: "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Shielding and Health Follow-up"
  • Welsh Government, 2020: "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Travel and Tourism"