Outdoor markets and car showrooms will reopen from June 1 with retailers following two weeks later

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.

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

And Mr Johnson warned the government will have powers to enforce those guidelines if necessary.  

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 intent to allow all other non-essential retail, ranging from department stores to small independent shops to reopen.’ 

Mr Johnson added: ‘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.’