Coronavirus lockdown – new measures
Following the announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson today (Tuesday 23 June) of new measures to the lockdown – Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees talks to the city about what it will mean.
“This afternoon, the Prime Minister set out a series of new changes to the lockdown measures in England from Saturday 4 July.
“These include:
- reopening of pubs, restaurants and hairdressers provided they are ‘Covid-secure’ which means having special safety measures in place
- reopening of hotels, campsites and other accommodation
- two households will be able to meet up in any setting while following social distancing
- the reduction of social distancing to 1m plus, where 2m is not possible.
“Other leisure facilities and attractions may also begin to reopen, if safe to do so including outdoor gyms and playgrounds, museums, places of worship, libraries and community centres.
“While we welcome these announcements, many businesses and council-run facilities will need to put in place special measures and that may take some time. Thank you for your continued patience.
“Although we welcome this positive step it is extremely important to continue to protect yourself by staying at home as much as possible and avoiding close contact with those from outside your home, should you need to go outside, especially if you are clinically vulnerable.
“As Bristol begins to reopen again, we must try to avoid crowded public spaces where possible, especially if unable to practise social distancing.
“Washing your hands regularly, wearing face coverings, and maintaining your distance from others are all essential to help keep our regional ‘R’ number down and reduce risk of infection.”
You can email your questions to coronavirus@bristol.gov.uk
Visit Bristol City Council website for the latest information.
Government shielding guidance and support available
There are now plans to ease guidance for those who have been told they are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’.
This will happen in two stages:
1. From Monday 6 July, those who are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ and currently shielding from coronavirus can:
- spend time outdoors (in a public outdoor space, private garden or uncovered yard or terrace) in a group of up to six people, including those from outside their household while following social distancing
- form a ‘support bubble’ if they live alone or are a single parent with children, with one other household of any size; spending time inside each other’s homes, including overnight, while maintaining social distancing
2. From Saturday 1 August, guidance on shielding will be fully relaxed, meaning those who are shielding will no longer be advised to do so. Those who need to work and are can’t do this from home will be able to return to their workplace, provided it is Covid-secure.
Support from the government will continue for those shielding until the end of July – including food packages and medicines.
Priority food shopping delivery slots will also remain available from selected supermarkets, and will continue beyond the end of July for those already registered for support.
Further advice for and guidance on shielding is available on the central Government website.
If you’re in Bristol and need support getting essential foods, medicines and supplies, call the We Are Bristol support phone number for free on 0800 694 0184 (lines open 8:30am-5:00pm Mon-Fri) or email coronavirus@bristol.gov.uk.
Meeting other households – explained
Two households of any size will be able to meet indoors or outside and it will be possible to stay overnight.
This does not have to be the same set of households – for example the prime minister said it would be possible to meet one set of grandparents one weekend, and the others the following weekend.
The two households will also have to maintain social distancing – unless they are part of the same support bubble.
But the government does not not recommend meetings of multiple households indoors because of the risk of infection.
Which businesses won’t be able to open?
- Nightclubs
- Casinos
- Bowling alleys and indoor skating rinks
- Indoor play areas including soft-play
- Spas
- Nail bars and beauty salons
- Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
- Gyms and dance studios
- Swimming pools and water parks
- Exhibition and conference centres
- Theatres and concert halls will not be able to host live performances – but the prime minister said the government would work with the arts industry on specific guidance to enable choirs, orchestras and theatres to resume live events as soon as possible.
Hospitality – what do businesses have to do?
Restaurants, pubs and cafes in England will also be allowed to reopen, as long as they follow safety guidelines.
All hospitality indoors will be table service only – with contact between staff and customers to be limited.
Customers will also have to give contact details when they enter a pub or restaurant.
Businesses will have to monitor crowd density in their premises, including at pinch points, such as doorways.