All shops open from June 15th! Boris announces full-steam ahead for next stage of unlockdown with street markets and car showrooms open next week
- Outdoor markets and car showrooms will now be able to reopen from June 1
- Independent shops and department stores will be able to reopen from June 15
- But government warns shops will have to adhere to social distancing guidance
- Boris Johnson says government will have powers to enforce the new guidelines
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Boris Johnson has tonight announced plans to lift the shutters on Britain’s shops in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be allowed to reopen from June 1, if they adhere to strict social distancing guidelines, the Prime Minister announced at the daily coronavirus press conference at Downing Street this evening.
Retail shops, including department stores and independent businesses, will be allowed to reopen from June 15, he also announced.
But all shops wanting to reopen will have to follow new guidance, set to be released today, if they are to be allowed to reopen.
And Mr Johnson warned the government will have powers to enforce those guidelines if necessary.
Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be allowed to reopen from June 1, if they adhere to strict social distancing guidelines, the Prime Minister announced at the daily coronavirus press conference at Downing Street this evening
A graph showing the Daily Covid-19 deaths and confirmed positive tests in the UK, as released today
A graph showing testing and new cases in the UK, as released today as part of the government’s daily press briefing
The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is falling, according to new figures released today
The number of estimated hospital admissions with Covid-19 is down by 678 compared to a week ago
The current R rate, which is one of the key pieces of data assessed by the government with regards to how to ease the country of lockdown, is currently between 0.7 and 1, the government say
Speaking at the conference tonight, he said: ‘Today I want to put the retail sector on notice of our intention to reopen shops so they can get ready to reopen.
‘So I can announce that it is our intention to allow outdoor markets to reopen on June 1, subject to premises being Covid secure, as well as car showrooms which often have sufficient out door space.
‘From June 15 we intend to allow all other non-essential retail, ranging from department stores to small independent shops to reopen.
‘We will set out our formal assessment of the five tests that we set for adjusting the lockdown later this week as part of the three-weekly review we are legally required to undertake by Thursday.
‘But because of the progress we are making I can, with confidence, put the British people on notice of the changes we intend to introduce as we move to step two.
‘We know that the transmission of the virus is lower outdoors and that it is easier to follow Covid secure guidelines in open spaces.’
Mr Johnson added that the government will today publish social distancing guidelines to help shops become ‘Covid secure’ before reopening.
He said: ‘This will ensure there can be no doubt about what steps should be taken.
‘We will of course have powers to enforce these conditions, where it is required.’
From June 15, the government intends to allow all other non-essential retail, including department stores, to reopen. Pictured: Department store Debenhams
Independent retailers will also be allowed to reopen from June 15, the government today announced. Pictured: A high street on the Isle of Man