All non-essential retail has reopened after the rules were relaxed on Apr 12, along with hair and nail salons, outdoor bars and restaurants for table service, libraries and gyms.
Retailers are also allowed to open until 10pm as the Government seeks to bolster the high street and ensure compliance with social distancing rules. Meanwhile a new campaign is calling for a ‘Shop Out to Help Out’ initiative, designed to save Britain’s independent high street shops, which have taken a financial hit during the pandemic and remained closed since January 6.
Fitting rooms were also allowed to reopen on Apr 12, after the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) provided guidance on how shops can minimise contact between shoppers in these areas.
Face masks could still be required for shops until Jun 21, which marks the earliest point at which the country could return fully to normal living.
The prime minister urged caution during the “major step forward” as a scientist advising the government warned the rules must be followed to minimise a possible rebound in infections.
“I’m sure it will be a huge relief for those business owners who have been closed for so long, and for everyone else, it’s a chance to get back to doing some of the things we love and have missed,” Mr Johnson said.
“I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ to suppress COVID as we push on with our vaccination programme.”
First thing this morning shoppers were queuing outside London’s Oxford Street stores as early as 5 am its been reported. as some of England’s lockdown rules are relaxed.
Across social media images of people queueing outside JD Sports while crowds gathered around the front doors of nearby TK Maxx and around the block line for Selfridges as customers wait to get inside.