The Prime Minister has announced that some of the proposed changes to the rules in August will be postponed for at least a fortnight - this is to keep the virus under control.
Today’s update means:
- Casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and remaining close contact services must remain closed. The initial plan to reopen these services on 1 August will not go ahead, and they must remain closed until 15 August at the earliest.
- Pilots of larger crowds in sports venues and conference centres will not take place.
- Wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted, but ceremonies can continue to take place, in line with COVID-Secure guidelines.
- The Government will extend the requirement to wear a face covering to other indoor settings where you are likely to come into contact with people you do not normally meet, such as museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship. We now recommend face coverings are worn in these settings, and this will become enforceable in law from 8 August.
At every point the Government has said its plan to reopen society and the economy is conditional – that it relies on continued progress against the virus, and that it would not hesitate to put on the brakes if required. With those numbers creeping up, the Government's assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the virus under control.
Further details can be found here.
