Boris Johnson eases COVID-19 lockdown across Britain

Boris Johnson has “unlocked” Britain, reopening pubs and restaurants and reducing social distancing restrictions to “one metre-plus”.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has eased coronavirus restrictions across the UK. Picture: AFP

Boris Johnson has “unlocked” Britain, reopening pubs and restaurants and reducing social distancing restrictions from two metres to “one metre-plus”.

After 15 weeks of coronavirus lockdown, the British prime minister announced the reopening of major parts of the economy from July 4.

Mr Johnson said it had been an incredibly tough time: “After a long period asking you to follow strict and complex rules we can make life easier to see more of friends and family, businesses back on feet and people back into jobs.”

But he warned he would reverse the rules at a local or national level “if it runs out of control”.

“We had a plan and stuck to it, the government has asked a huge amount of all you, people in the country have met the challenge with good humour and common sense. This is a nasty virus still, that will want to take advantage of our carelessness.”

Today PM @BorisJohnson has announced that pubs, restaurants and hairdressers can reopen if they are COVID-19 Secure from 4 July in England.

See more here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kruDivgesq

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) June 23, 2020

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty dampened the government’s actions, saying he believed the country would still be dealing with coronavirus at similar levels at this time next year. He warned the country had to plan “for the long haul out to 2021”.

Mr Johnson, however, was more optimistic. “Frankly I can’t wait to get back into a pub or restaurant, everyone can enjoy themselves and rediscover things, I want to see bustle and activity, but want to see everyone careful, alert and following the guidance. So far the country has shown massive common sense and stuck to the plan, we have got it under control – let’s keep it under control.”

Under the new rules that come into place on July 4, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, provided they adhere to COVID-secure guidelines.

From the same date, two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, and that people can now enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites.

Some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.

Nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas remain closed.

The one metre-plus distancing requires people to wear a mask, or other mitigation measures, if they cannot stay two metres apart.

“The virus is the same and just as dangerous but we are much better in dealing with it and that should give people confidence,” Mr Johnson said.