The Government has announced a reversal of further lockdown easing in England following spikes in reported cases.

We previously reported that certain businesses was able to open from 1 August 2020 as part of the Government’s roadmap to recovery. However, today (31/07/2020), the Prime Minister announced that the plans to open these venues will now be postponed for at least two weeks.

Businesses and venues that were scheduled to reopen on 1 August were:

• Employees will have more discretion about whether staff should return to the workplace (subject to the workplace being covid secure). Employers should consult closely with their employees, and only ask people to return to their place of work if it is safe. - UNCHANGED
• Most remaining leisure settings, namely bowling, skating rinks and casinos will re-open, and all close contact services such as beauticians will be allowed to resume. POSTPONED
• Indoor performances to live audiences will resume (subject to the success of pilots), and large gatherings in venues like sports stadia will be piloted with a view to wider re-opening in the Autumn. POSTPONED
• Wedding receptions for up to 30 people will be allowed. POSTPONED

The BBC reported that the PM said the introduction of new restrictions in northern England is not a "return to lockdown" but there are "trade-offs" needed, saying that getting children back to school at the start of next term "should be a national priority".

The PM also said that:

• Face coverings must be worn in in new settings - such as museums - from 8 August.
• No change to work-from-home guidance

Read the PM's press statement