Boris Johnson news – live: PM announces cinemas and museums to reopen, as Japan gives UK six weeks to strike post-Brexit trade deal
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has set out plans to allow pubs, restaurants, cinemas, museums and galleries to re-open on 4 July in a major easing of the coronavirus lockdown in England. The prime minister said “our long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end”.
Mr Johnson also announced that the two-metre social distancing rule will be relaxed – saying it would be changed to a minimum of “one metre-plus” wherever a two-metre distance was not possible.
Elsewhere, Japan has given the UK just six weeks to strike a post-Brexit deal, putting the government under pressure to agree one of the fastest trade negotiations in history. “We must complete negotiations by the end of July,” said Tokyo’s chief negotiator.
Drinkers at risk when pubs re-open, expert warns
Drinkers and diners will be at risk of catching the coronavirus when pubs and restaurants reopen next month, the government’s former chief scientific adviser has warned.
Sir David King said the level of new infections – currently 1,000 per day – is still too high to safely relax restrictions indoors and the chances of transmission through the air would still be “quite high”, he argued.
“You are at much greater risk because you are sitting in proximity to other people, you are not wearing masks if you are in pubs and restaurants,” Sir David warned.
“It only takes one or two individuals who are shedding the virus sitting near you – not even close to you – and you are at risk of getting the disease.”
Two-metre rule to be changed, PM announces
The two-metre minimum social distancing rule will be changed following a review, the PM has said.
If it's not possible to keep 2m apart, people should use a distance on "one metre-plus", Mr Johnson said, while taking steps to mitigate the potential for virus transmission.
However, if they can, they should still stay 2m apart, he said.
The change will let him ease lockdown in England, he added.
Two households can meet inside from 4 July
It does not mean they must always been the same two households, Boris Johnson says.
"But we are not recommending meetings of multiple households indoors," he adds.
The PM said the government would ask people to follow guidance, not legislation, on this matter, trusting them to use common sense.
Pubs and restaurants to reopen
But with table service only, and minimal contact between staff and customers.
Venues will be asked to take contact details from patrons.
Cinemas, museums and pubs to reopen on 4 July, PM says
A string of venues including cinemas and museums are to be allowed to reopen from 4 July, Boris Johnson has announced, in a major easing of England's lockdown.
The changes will not apply in the UK's other countries.
The PM said it was part of his plan to "rebuild our economy". He praised Britons' adherence to lockdown measures.
New infections are declining by between 2 and 4 per cent daily, Mr Johnson said.
"We do not believe there is currently a risk of a second peak of infections that might overwhelm the NHS," he added.
Mr Johnson said "we can now go further and safely ease the lockdown in England", adding that "caution will be our watchword".
Libraries, social clubs, community centres and outdoor gyms can also reopen.
National lockdown could return if necessary, says PM
"The virus has not gone away," he concedes.
Starmer reacts
"Overall I welcome this statement," the Labour leader says. However, there are questions remaining, he adds.
Sir Keir reminds colleagues of the need for a "robust" track and trace system.
He has some questions:
- Is the whole package of changes agreed by Sage, and the chief medical officer?
- "What assessment has been made of the overall impact on transmission of the virus and the R-rate" both nationally and regionally?
- What extra help is the government giving local councils in the fight to prevent a second spike in infections?
- What enforceable measures will the PM introduce to protect workers?
Track and trace 'essential', says Starmer
"Getting this right is essential to unlocking in a safe manner," said Labour leader Keir Stamer says. He asked the PM to clarify when the whole system will be in place. He said "gaps" still remained in the system because of the the failure to put an app in place.
Keir Starmer speaking in the Commons (PA)
Top advisers 'intimately involved' in changes, says PM
Responding to Sir Kier Starmer's question about expert support for the easing, Johnson says the government believes its "five tests" have been met, and adds that Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance have been "intimately involved" in this process "at every stage".
"They do believe that it is a step in our plan that allows us to go ahead whilst meeting that crucial test of not triggering a second wave."
On support for councils, the PM says they are getting some £3.2bn of extra money.
PM pledges ‘wraparound care’ for pupils
Boris Johnson said “wraparound care” for school-age children and formal childcare will “restart over the summer”, adding in the Commons: “Primary and secondary education will recommence in September with full attendance and those children who can already go to school should do so because it is safe.
“We will publish Covid-secure guidelines for every sector that is reopening and slowly but surely these measures will restore a sense of normality.”
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