High street shops have been given the green light to start reopening from next week by Boris Johnson, as he tries to ease lockdown restrictions amid a huge public row over his top adviser.
The prime minister said outdoor markets and showrooms will be able to start trading again in England from 1 June – so long as they keep customers safe.
Other non-essential retailers – including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets – can follow suit two weeks later, from 15 June.
Employers will face "spot checks" to make sure they are implementing social distancing, and have been told they must complete a risk assessment after consultation with trade unions and workers.
Firms have been told to consider a number of measures to reassure customers and staff, including:
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- Placing a poster in their windows to demonstrate awareness of the guidance
- Storing returned items for 72 hours before putting them back out on the shop floor
- Placing protective coverings on large items touched by the public such as beds or sofas
- Frequently cleaning objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, including self-checkouts, trolleys, coffee machines and betting terminals
Mr Johnson announced the next steps in his plan to "unlock the lockdown" at Monday's Downing Street news briefing, nine weeks since the strict "stay at home" measures began.
But they came as he faced continued questions about his support for his chief adviser Dominic Cummings for making three trips during lockdown – from London to self-isolate at another property in Durham, and then for a "test drive" to a town 30 miles away to check he was well enough to drive home.
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Mr Johnson insisted after his special adviser's extraordinary news conference that "I think he acted reasonably, legally and with integrity".
The prime minister also hinted he accepted mistakes could have been made about handling the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, which has so far killed 36,914 people.
He said it was "absolute folly" for any government to say "it hasn't learnt anything as it goes alonRead More – Source
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