Freedom day is approaching
Boris Johnson has set out recent plans to lift the remaining Covid restrictions in just 13 days for England. The Prime minister said that the government was looking to move away from legal restrictions and would allow individuals instead to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus.
He also stated that the pandemic was ‘far from over.’
Although we are all wishing for the reopening of society, the confirmation of the lifting of restrictions and guidance on that date will not happen until July 12th, when the latest data of Covid will be assessed.
Keep checking the Gov website for the latest data, or for more information surrounding the lifting of restrictions: – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
What rules will be relaxed?
If all approved from the latest data, the following will change in England from July 19th:
Social distancing and face coverings
- No limits on social contact
- The 1m-plus rule removed (except in settings such as medical and ports of entry)
- No legal requirements for face coverings, but if you feel like you want to carry on wearing a face covering, please do. Face coverings will still be advised in hospitals, healthcare settings and enclosed, crowded public spaces.
Businesses/events/hospitality
- Nightclubs can reopen
- Capacity caps on businesses will be lifted
- Hospitality businesses will no longer be required to provide table service only
- No limits on numbers at weddings and funerals
- No restrictions on communal worship
- No limits on people attending concerts, sports events or theatres
- No Covid certificates for any venue or event
- Working from home should also end and limits on named visitors to care homes will be removed
Although the relaxation of rules seems set in place, testing and contact tracing will continue – and it will remain a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for covid.
Are Covid cases on the rise again?
Yes they are, cases are expected to rise as restrictions begin to ease. But, because of our vaccination programme, the link between infections, hospitalisations and deaths has been weakened.
We can all hope that once we are set free from restrictions it will last, rules aside, we hope you are all staying safe and well. When July 19th comes, let us all still be a little responsible and use common sense to keep ourselves distanced along with wearing face masks where you feel is necessary.
If you haven’t booked in to have your Covid vaccination check out the NHS website for more details: – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/