Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host a press conference this evening (Monday 5 July) as the government prepares to lift remaining lockdown measures in England in two weeks’ time.
The PM is expected to address rules surrounding social distancing, face masks and working from home – which have all been subject to speculation over the previous few weeks.
According to new reports, Johnson will discuss making face coverings optional on public transport, whilst removing table service requirements at bars/restaurants and allowing festivals/nightclubs to return.
Working from home is likely to be left up to firms.
Johnson said Monday’s update would “set out how we can restore people’s freedoms when we reach step four”, before adding that the “pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks.”
ADVERTISEMENT
National restrictions have been in force in England since early January, having been gradually eased over a period of months.
The government had originally planned to remove all COVID-19 measures in June, but were forced to delay the reopening date to July 19 as the Delta variant of the virus pushed up cases nationwide.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nonetheless, ministers have repeatedly claimed the country is on track to lift more curbs later this month – although it remains unclear whether all will be permanently removed in a fortnight. Tonight’s press conference is expected to provide some insight as to what steps the government will take.
On Sunday, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick claimed that wearing masks is set to become a “personal choice” for people in England.
However, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said a “rethink” on this rule would be required, as it would put certain people in an “unfair position”.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Mayor stated: “I struggle to see how Ministers can drop the requirement to wear masks on public transport without causing real problems for some people who are dependent on it.”
The hospitality sector, in particular, is eager for updates on legislation surrounding table service, social distancing and scanning QR codes.
Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord said that the removal of such measures would be a “huge sigh of relief” for the sector.
The PM is expected to address the press tonight at 5pm.
Featured image: No 10 / Flickr
News
Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’
Daisy Jackson
The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.
Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.
Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.
“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.
“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”
It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.
Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.
“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”
The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.
They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.
“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”
Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed
Daisy Jackson
Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.
The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.
But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.
New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.
“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.
Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.
Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.