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What will change with latest lifting of lockdown measures on Saturday?

A general view of a 'welcome back' sign in the window of a charity shop in Worthing, Sussex, as the UK continues to introduce measures to gradually bring the country out of the coronavirus lockdown.
A 'welcome back' sign in the window of a charity shop in Worthing, Sussex, as more businesses are set to reopen in England over the weekend. (PA)

After months of lockdown, more businesses in England are set to reopen their doors on Saturday.

Pubs, restaurants and bars are opening up once again, having spent most of the year closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Millions are expected to venture outside and socialise with friends in public places at the weekend – but what will change and what will the new way of going out look like?

Do I still have to keep a social distance of two metres?

No. From Saturday people who are not part of the same household will be told to keep to the one metre-plus rule.

The “plus” is what Boris Johnson called mitigation, and means taking extra steps to keep safe such as wearing a mask, regularly washing hands and sitting side by side with people, rather than face to face.

A general view of a sign outside the Fountain pub in Ashurst, Sussex, ahead of its reopening on Saturday 4th July, as the UK continues to introduce measures to gradually bring the country out of the coronavirus lockdown.
A sign outside the Fountain pub in Ashurst, Sussex, ahead of its reopening on Saturday. (PA)

Can I go to the pub or go for dinner?

Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open from Saturday but will look slightly different from before.

Government guidance suggests staff should wear face coverings and take other precautions such as providing hand sanitiser and putting one-way systems in place to keep customers safe.

Venues are also expected to keep a record of all visitors so the NHS can trace any virus outbreaks, and all orders should be taken from the table, including possibly using smartphone apps.

Loud music and performances will not be allowed in order to prevent people from having to raise their voices, which can increase transmission.

Can I visit my friends and family in their homes?

Two households can start meeting indoors as long as the one metre-plus rule is observed. This means you can go into other people’s houses for the first time since March.

Two households meeting for dinner can sit at the same table but still must not touch and should attempt to uphold the one metre-plus rule.

Photo by: zz/KGC-247/STAR MAX/IPx 2020 6/24/20 Social distancing measures on June 24, 2020 as shops, restaurants and pubs in Covent Garden begin to reopen as certain restrictions are eased in The United Kingdom during the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. (London, England, UK)
Social distancing measures in Covent garden as bars and restaurants prepare to reopen. (zz/KGC-247/STAR MAX/IPx 2020)

What about getting married?

Weddings can now take place but ceremonies will be capped at a maximum of 30 guests.

Receptions or parties after weddings should not take place, but small celebrations – with groups of up to two households indoors, or up to six people from different households outdoors – will be permitted.

Services should be concluded in the “shortest reasonable time”, and the guidance states: “Where the exchanging of rings is required or desired for the solemnisation of the marriage or the formation of the civil partnership, hands should be washed before and after.

“The rings should be handled by as few people as possible.”

It is understood that couples who do not live together before a wedding ceremony will be able to exchange rings and kiss, despite the social distancing rules.

A general view of a woman reading a window sign at the Toni & Guy hairdressing salon in Worthing, Sussex, ahead of its reopening on Saturday 4th July as the UK continues to introduce measures to gradually bring the country out of the coronavirus lockdown.
A woman reading a window sign at the Toni & Guy hairdressing salon in Worthing, Sussex, ahead of its reopening on Saturday. (PA)

Is there anything else that can open?

There is a long list of businesses and facilities which will be allowed to open their doors from the weekend. Cinemas, museums, art galleries, bingo halls, community centres, outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms can all be used again. Places of worship will also be allowed to hold services again.

What will stay closed?

Venues which involve “close proximity” will have to stay shut. These include nightclubs, indoor gyms, soft play centres, swimming pools and spas. Ministers have said they want to get these places open as soon as possible.

Samuel Smith's brewery in Tadcaster delivers beer to local pubs by horse-drawn cart, as pubs prepare for reopening to members of the public when the lifting of further lockdown restrictions in England comes into effect on Saturday.
Samuel Smith's brewery in Tadcaster delivers beer to local pubs by horse-drawn cart ahead of the next stage of lockdown easing. (PA)

What will happen in Leicester?

A flare-up of COVID-19 cases in Leicester means that rules in the East Midlands city will not be relaxed as quickly as they will elsewhere in England.

Rather than progressing towards the reopening of more businesses, Leicester and some areas of Leicestershire have been forced to close schools and non-essential retail outlets, much like they were elsewhere earlier in the pandemic.

It is also harder for residents to move about because all but essential travel to, from and within the city is being discouraged and residents have been told to stay at home.

These rules will remain in place for at least two weeks from when they were announced on 29 June.

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