Boris Johnson confirmed what the final stage of England’s lockdown exit strategy will be in a press conference held today (July 5).
The Prime Minister emphasised the need for people to take personal responsibility when wearing a face mask, and that there will be guidance issued about where people may want to wear one.
People will now be able to make their own informed decisions about how to manage COVID-19, in an attempt of living with the virus.
The PM outlined what the new rules will be at the final stage of England’s coronavirus lockdown roadmap, should this go ahead on July 19. These include:
- No legal limits on attendance at weddings and funerals
- No legal requirements to wear a face covering in shops or on public transport
- No more table service rules and venue check-in requirements
- No limits on the number of named care home visitors
- Local authorities will no longer have the power to enforce COVID-19 rules
- No domestic COVID-19 passports when attending various venues such as pubs, restaurants, or clubs
- The “one metre-plus” social distancing rule will be removed
- No capacity limits on large-scale events
- No legal limits regarding the number of people meeting indoors or outdoors
This enables nightclubs – an industry that has struggled during the pandemic – to reopen.
Other areas of hospitality will be able to return as well, such as theatres.
Large-scale music festivals will also be able to proceed again.
Johnson also confirmed that the government is “looking to move to a different isolating regime for fully vaccinated contacts of those testing positive”, as well as “removing the need for fully vaccinated arrivals to isolate on return from an amber country”.
However, Johnson stated that the government would continue to balance the risks of COVID-19 and the risks of further government restrictions.
A final decision on whether the final step of the roadmap to freedom will go ahead will be taken next Monday, on July 12.
Lead image: Number 10