Downing Street sets out timetable for reopening of shops in England
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said all non-essential retail outlets in England will be allowed to reopen from the middle of June.
At this evening's Downing Street briefing he insisted the opening of shops could take place “in a safe way that does not risk causing a second wave of the virus.”
Outdoor markets will be allowed to open from June 1 along with car showrooms "subject to all premises being made Covid-secure" Mr Johnson said.
Then from June 15, we intend to allow all other non-essential retail, ranging from department stores to small independent shops to reopen," he added.
"Again this change will be contingent upon success on the five tests and will only be permitted to those retail premises which are Covid-secure.
“Today, we are publishing new guidance for the retail sector detailing the measures they should take to meet the necessary social distancing and hygiene standards.
"Shops now have the time to implement this guidance before they reopen, this will ensure that there can be no doubt about what steps they should take.
“While the vast majority of businesses will want to do everything possible to protect their staff and customers, I should add that we will have the power that we need to enforce compliance where that is required.
“I want people to be confident that they can shop safely provided they follow the social distancing for all premises.
"The food retail sector has already responded fantastically well, allowing supermarkets to be kept open in a safe way, and we shall learn lessons from that experience as we allow other retail to open.
“These are careful but deliberate steps on the road to rebuilding our country and we can only take these steps thanks to what we have so far achieved together."
While Mr Johnson did not speak about the furore surrounding his special adviser Dominic Cummings during his address he faced a susccession fo questions from the media during the briefing.
Mr Cummings had earlier faced the media himself in a press conference at Downing Street where he said he did not regret taking his family from their home in London to the north of England to be near his family when his wife developed Covid symptoms.
Mr Johnson said he regretted "the confusion, anger and pain" felt by many people after it was revealed what Mr Cummings had done.
However he added that he believed Mr Cummings had acted "reasonably" and with "integrity and care for others".
The Prime Minister also confirmed that 3,532,634 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, but just 73,726 took place yesterday, missing the 100,000 daily target.
Another 1625 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the last 24 hours and there are currently 8834 people in hospital with Covid-19 across the UK – down 12 per cent from 10,092 this time last week.
Of those who tested positive for coronavirus across all settings 36,914 have now died – that is an increase of 121 fatalities since yesterday.
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