The Cabinet Office has issued further guidance on which businesses will be allowed to reopen at each stage of the Government’s Roadmap for taking England out of lockdown – see below for timescales and details.
- Not before 29 MARCH 2021
Outdoor sports facilities are able to open, including:
- gyms
- swimming pools
- sports courts (such as tennis and basketball courts)
- golf courses, including mini golf
- water sports venues
- climbing walls
- driving and shooting ranges
- riding arenas at riding centres
- archery venues
People can use these venues in a group of six people, or with members of up to two households.
2. Not before 12 APRIL 2021
Non-essential retail will reopen, as will indoor sports and leisure facilities. This will include:
- gyms and leisure centres
- sports courts
- swimming pools
- dance studios and fitness centres
- driving and shooting ranges
- riding arenas
- archery venues
- climbing wall centres
Holiday accommodation: Self-contained holiday accommodation in which all facilities (including for sleeping, catering, bathing, and indoor lobbies and corridors for entry and exit) are restricted to exclusive use of a single household/support bubble will reopen.
Outdoor areas at hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, social clubs, including member’s clubs) can reopen, including for takeaway alcohol. These venues may allow customers to use toilets located inside. At any premises serving alcohol, customers will be required to order, be served and eat/drink while seated.
Outdoor attractions
Outdoor attractions will reopen at:
- adventure parks and activities
- animal attractions (such as at zoos, safari parks and aquariums)
- drive in events, such as for cinemas, theatres, and other performances.
- film studios
- funfairs and fairgrounds
- model villages
- museums and galleries
- skating rinks
- theme parks
- trampolining parks
- water and aqua parks
Gift shops at attractions
Permitted businesses operating in otherwise closed attractions (such as a gift shop or a takeaway kiosk at a museum) may only open where they are a self-contained unit and can be accessed directly from the street.
Outdoor events
Outdoor gatherings or events run by a business can be organised, subject to specific conditions:
that they comply with COVID-Secure guidance including taking reasonable steps to limit the risk of transmission; complete a related risk assessment
that they ensure that those attending do not mix beyond what is permitted by the social contact limits (unless another exemption exists, such as for work purposes, or supervised activities for children).
3. Not before 17 MAY 2021
Hospitality: Indoor areas of hospitality venues will reopen. As outdoors, table service will be required. Venues will be prohibited from providing shared smoking equipment such as shisha pipes.
Accommodation: remaining holiday accommodation can reopen including hotels, B&Bs and hostels
Indoor entertainment and visitor attractions – businesses that can reopen will include:
- cinemas/theatres/concert halls
- museums and galleries
- adventure playgrounds and activities
- amusement arcades and adult gaming centres
- bingo halls/casinos
- bowling alleys/skating rinks
- games, recreation and entertainment venues such as escape rooms and laser quest
- play areas (including soft play centres and inflatable parks)
- trampolining parks/water and aqua parks
- indoor visitor areas at outdoor attractions that opened on 12th April 2021
Outdoor events
Remaining outdoor entertainment events, such as cinemas, theatres, and other performance events will also be permitted.
4. Not before 21 JUNE 2021
Remaining businesses to open and this will include:
- nightclubs and adult entertainment venues
- lifting the restrictions on large events
Read the full guidance here.