Guidance has been provided for different categories of premises in England ahead of the latest lockdown relaxations announced by the PM yesterday, which will see the re-opening of many businesses including pubs, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, hairdressers and barbershops.

Further guidance has been provided for 'close contact' services, aimed at hairdressers and barbershops opening from 4th July and to assist other businesses which will remain closed until further notice, to prepare for reopening.

New Guidance for Restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services

The guidance for restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services has been updated (23 June) to expand guidance on takeaways to venues providing service at the venue ahead of planned opening, reflect guidance on support bubbles, social distancing, test and trace and feedback from industry

This guidance applies to any food preparation or service setting where food and drink is sold for consumption at venues or for takeaway or delivery. For example, restaurants, pubs, bars, beer gardens, food to go, cafes, social and similar clubs operating as bars and restaurants, mobile catering and contract catering or similar environments where food and drink is purchased and consumed at a venue in their indoor or outdoor areas or offered for takeaway or delivery.

This guidance also considers entertainment in restaurants, pubs and bars and similar venues where food or drink is served, provided they meet current government criteria for safe reopening.

It does not apply to food preparation or food service in clinical or healthcare settings.

The visitor economy

The visitor economy guidance is for people who work in hotels and guest accommodation, indoor and outdoor attractions, and business events and consumer shows.

Close contact services

The close contact services guidance applies to hairdressers and barbershops which can re-open from 4 July 2020, but is also intended to assist other close contact services (which must remain closed until further notice), to prepare for re-opening.

Close contact services include hairdressing, barbershops, beauty and nail bars, makeup, tattoo and spray tanning studios, spas, sports and massage therapy, well-being and holistic locations, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers.

This guidance is also designed for those who provide mobile close contact services from their homes and in other people’s homes, those in retail environments and the arts, as well as those studying hair and beauty in vocational training environments. Dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers were permitted to reopen in line with non-essential retail on 15 June 2020.

Hairdressers and barbershops will be permitted to reopen for services that relate to cutting or treating hair on the head only from 4 July 2020. The other services outlined above will remain closed until further notice subject to the 5 tests but this guidance is intended to help them prepare for reopening.

Businesses remaining closed from 4 July

For the time being, certain businesses and venues will still be required by law to stay closed to the public. From 4 July, these closed businesses and venues will include:

• nightclubs
• casinos
• bowling alleys and indoor skating rinks
• indoor play areas including soft-play
• spas
• nail bars, beauty salons and tanning salons
• massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
• indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities
• swimming pools and water parks
• exhibition or conference centres - where they are to be used for exhibitions or conferences

The guidance 'closing certain businesses and venues in England' is expected to be updated in due course.