I know that this has been a particularly challenging time for many businesses, so I’m pleased that the Government has announced that as of 4th July 2020 pubs, restaurants and hairdressers’ shops can reopen, provided it is safe for their staff and customers.
This follows the reopening of non-essential retail on the 15th June, including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, all furniture stores, books, and electronics, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets, if they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines.
These guidelines can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/….
Shops can only reopen when the required safety measures are in place, which may include introducing screens and limiting the numbers of customers allowed in at once. Whilst the Prime Minister has reduced the 2-metre rule, it is important that social distancing is maintained at 1-metre plus in order to reduce the rate of infection.
If you feel as though your workplace is not safe, you should try to resolve the problem with your employer in the first instance. If no further action is taken and you still feel that your health is at risk, please contact the Health and Safety Executive or your local authority who can investigate the issue.
Similarly, if you feel that a shop does not have sufficient safety measures in place, please report it to your local authority. Local authorities will continue to conduct spot checks and will follow up on concerns from members of the public.
I hope that this important step will help begin the process of restoring people’s livelihoods, restarting the UK’s economy, and ensuring vital public services like the NHS continue to be funded.
