What you can do in England but NOT in Scotland from July 4

The Prime Minister has announced the easing of lockdown in England and what changes will happen

Because public health is devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the governments there are moving at a more cautious pace. This list details the changes in England ONLY from July 4.

Social distancing

The two-metre social distancing rule will be relaxed and replaced with a ‘one-metre plus’ rule.

This involves keeping one-metre apart, wearing face coverings, sitting people side to side rather than face to face to reduce transmission, and increased use of hand sanitiser.

Indoor gatherings

Indoor gatherings of any two households will be allowed. People will be able to visit someone’s house for a dinner party, for example, or to stay over with grandparents as long as social distancing is observed.

Staycation nation

Many venues and businesses can reopen. These include hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses. But only if they are ‘Covid-secure,’ for example by maintaining social distancing. Shared facilities must be kept very clean.

Businesses opening

Restaurants, cafes, workplace canteens, bars, pubs and cinemas can reopen, as can places of worship, libraries, community centres and bingo halls. Theatres and concert halls can reopen, but not for live performances.

Museums and galleries, hair salons and barbers can reopen. Outdoor playgrounds, outdoor gyms, funfairs, theme parks and adventure parks and activities can reopen.

Going to the zoo, and more

Amusement arcades, outdoor skating rinks, indoor leisure centres or facilities – including indoor games and recreation – can also open up.

Social clubs, model villages and indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres, and any place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction, can reopen.

But, no disco

Some venues must stay shut, including nightclubs, casinos, bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, and indoor play areas including soft-play.

Spas, nail bars and beauty salons must also stay closed for now, as must massage, tattoo and piercing parlours.

Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sport venues, must stay closed.

Swimming pools and water parks will stay closed.

Exhibition or conference centres that are to be used for exhibitions or conferences must also stay closed.

So all of the above you can do south of the border, but it will be a little while yet before the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish will follow suit.