There are business sectors that have not yet been given permission to reopen in England. There has been no indication given as to when these businesses will be able to reopen.
Government guidance lists the following businesses that currently need to remain closed, as government assessment suggest that they cannot yet be made sufficiently COVID-19 Secure:
- 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, other than for those who work for that venue.
It looks unlikely that these types of businesses will be able to reopen until the virus is under control. These type of 'close proximity' businesses cannot usually operate whilst following strict social distancing requirements.
The UK government is only responsible for lifting lockdown restrictions in England. This is because health is a devolved matter, which means that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own policies in relation to public health matters.
