This is part of the Government's phased plan to gradually ease lockdown measures, with many businesses being able to reopen this Saturday (1/8).
Government measures must be reviewed every three weeks by law and are based on scientific advice, such as keeping "the R number" below one.
On Saturday (25/7), gyms, fitness centres, indoor pools and dance studios reopened across the country with new safety and social distancing measures in place.
And, by the end of the week, even more restrictions will be lifted.
From 1 August:
- Beauticians can resume face-to-face treatments, including facials, eyebrow and eyelash treatments so long as they have measures in place to reduce COVID-19 transmission
- Employers can discuss with staff whether it is safe to return to their workplace
- Most remaining leisure centres can reopen
- Indoor performances with live audiences - including in theatres and sports stadiums - can resume if pilots are successful
- Wedding receptions for up to 30 people can resume
- Bowling lanes, skating rinks, and casinos can reopen so long as safety measures are in place
Planet Ice and Hollywood Bowl will be reopening this Saturday. Staff from each of the venues have been busy implementing new safety measures, with venues having to work on reduced capacity to ensure social distancing can be followed.
Temperature checks will be the norm, with customers having to pre-book if wanting to attend Planet Ice or Hollywood Bowl.
It is not yet known when the Casino MK will be reopening, but guests will be informed of a date in due course.
The next phase of easing lockdown measures is expected to follow from October onwards, but is subject to change.
From October:
- Audiences may be able to return to sports stadiums following pilot projects
- Conferences and business events may be allowed to restart
Then, from November, more measures may be eased.
From November:
- Social distancing measures may be eased if the prevalence of COVID-19 falls significantly
What restrictions are still in place?
- People still can't hug their loved ones and are expected to maintain social distancing with other groups
- Nightclubs and soft play areas must remain closed for now
What is already allowed:
- Advice to avoid using public transport was lifted, allowing people to make non-essential journeys on buses and trains
- Beauticians, tattooists, spas and tanning salons can open, but with restrictions for high-contact treatments
- Go to outdoor swimming pools, but in reduced numbers
- Attend outdoor theatre, opera, dance and music performances and classes
- Club level cricket can be played again
- Visit pubs and restaurants, while observing social distancing
- Get a haircut
- Go on holiday in self-contained accommodation or go to a leisure facility, such as a theme park
- Visit community centres
- Gather in groups of up to six people in public or private outdoor spaces, as long as social distancing was practised
- Visit non-essential shops
- Play sports such as tennis and football with the people that they meet, but only if it is possible to keep a two-metre distance
- Return to school if they are in reception, Year 1, Year 6 or of nursery age - despite teaching unions expressing serious doubts
- Meet loved ones if they had been "shielding" from the virus
- Visit outdoor retail spaces such as outdoor markets and car showrooms where social distancing can be observed
- Return home from university if it was a permanent move
- Go to property viewings in person and visit agents for both sales and rentals
- Invite nannies and childminders to come to their house to look after children, provided good public health measures are adhered to
- Form a "support bubble" with one other household - meeting inside and staying overnight - if they live alone or are a single parent with a child under 18
Additional Reporting by Sky News
