How lockdown rules around public transport are changing this Saturday

There will be greater freedom on public transport when lockdown rules are further eased on Saturday.

Buses, trains, trams and ferries in England will no longer be for essential journeys only from 1 August.

But people will still be encouraged to use other means of transport wherever they can.

What the rules will be from 1 August

Public transport no longer for essential journeys only

People will be able to use buses, trains, trams and ferries for non-essential journeys but a face covering will still be required.

Work-from-home advice relaxed

The government’s work from home advice will be relaxed and companies will be able to decide if employees go back to the office.

Wedding receptions allowed

Wedding receptions and sit-down meals for no more than 30 people will be allowed, subject to COVID-19 secure guidelines.

Shielding of extremely vulnerable people paused

The government will pause shielding unless the transmission of COVID-19 in the community starts to rise significantly.

Remaining leisure settings allowed to reopen

Most remaining leisure settings, such as bowling, skating rinks and casinos, will be able to reopen accompanied by COVID-19 Secure guidelines. This will not include particularly high-risk activities and settings such as nightclubs, which will be kept under review.

Indoor performances and close contact treatments allowed to restart

Indoor performances to a live audience can be restarted, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidelines, subject to the success of pilots that are taking place.

All close contact services will be able to resume, including treatments on the face such as eyebrow threading or make-up application.

Pilot events at sports stadiums and conference centres to take place

Pilots will be organised in a range of venues, particularly where people congregate from different places, such as sports stadiums and business events.

What the rules were

Public transport

The government has told people to only use public transport for essential travel and to avoid it otherwise.

It is the law you have to wear a face covering while using Buses, trains, trams and ferries

Working from home

The government had advised people to work from home if they could during the pandemic.

Large gatherings

Large gatherings have been banned since the start of the lockdown, including concerts, sports games and music festivals.

Sports facilities

Sports facilities and venues, including indoor gyms, fitness and dance studios, indoor swimming pools and indoor water parks, reopened on 25 July.

Weddings

At present, legally valid ceremonies or formations are strongly advised to go ahead only where they can be done in a COVID-19 secure environment. But large wedding receptions or parties should not currently be taking place and any celebration.

Extremely vulnerable people

At the moment, extremely vulnerable people no longer need to socially distance from people they live with.

They’re allowed to meet in a group of up to six people outdoors, including people from other households.

Coronavirus: what happened today

Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter