Coronavirus: Government working ‘rapidly’ on a timetable for reopening
By Kat Hill | 03 July 2020 | Movers & Shakers, News
In a briefing tonight (3 July), Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the government is working ‘rapidly’ on a timetable for reopening ‘sectors that remain closed’.
The announcement comes as lockdown restrictions are beginning to lift around the UK – with hairdressers and barbers set to open their doors from tomorrow (4 July) in England, with salons in Northern Ireland opening from 6 July and Wales 13 July.
Referring to the nail industry in his announcement, Johnson stated:
“Indoor gyms, nail bars, swimming pools are still closed […] Mass gatherings are still prohibited; social distancing is still essential.
“I want these restrictions to be lifted.
“We’ve established taskforces to work rapidly and closely with these sectors that remain closed, to explore how they can be Covid-secure.
“I’m pleased to report that good progress is being made.
“Next week, we will set out a timetable for their reopening.
“Though, of course, I can only lift those remaining national restrictions as and when it is safe to do so.
“Our goal remains to enable as many people as possible to live their lives as close to normally as possible, in a way which is as fair and as safe as possible.”
“We must move from blanket national measures to targeted local measures,” he stated, to focus on “specific premises or local areas”.
The announcement comes as last week workplace safety guidelines for ‘close contact services’ were released. Entitled Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19), the document sets out guidance and practical advice on how to open (or prepare to open) workplaces safely, while minimising the risk of spreading Covid-19.
Currently, beauty businesses (including but not limited to nail bars, eyelash and brow bars, makeup artists, tattoo and tanning studios, spas, sports and massage therapy, wellbeing and holistic locations) can use these guidelines to prepare for reopening but are NOT allowed to open until it is advised that it is safe to do so by the government.