Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers in England will all open again for the first time in three months from July 4, Boris Johnson announced this afternoon.
All hospitality will be limited to table service. Hairdressers will need to use visors.
Hotels, campsites and caravan parks may also reopen from this date.
Theme parks, galleries, museums and social clubs can welcome back clientele “if they can do safely.”
Outdoor recreation and sport will also be allowed but indoor facilities (such as changing rooms) will remain closed for the time being.
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Schools will fully reopen in September.
The announcement represents a significant step towards a full reopening of the UK economy and will come as relieving news for many businesses desperate to resume trading.
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Meanwhile, the 2m social distancing guidelines are being reduced to 1m+ – matching the recommendations outlined by the World Health Organisation.
The reduction will enable businesses to serve higher numbers of customers whilst remaining COVID-compliant. The Government is set to publish further guidance on this matter.
From July 4, two households can also meet inside and outside – although mixing multiple households is discouraged.
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Speaking in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister stated: “We have trusted in the common sense of the British people and their response has justified our faith.”
He added that “this pandemic has inflicted permanent scars,” but the Government does “not believe there is currently a second peak of infections to overwhelm the NHS.”
“Now we can safely go further and ease the lockdown in England.”
The PM emphasised the changes could be reverted depending on the COVID-19 data.
“The virus has not gone away,” he said.
“As we have seen in other countries, there will be flare-ups, for which local measures will be needed. And we will not hesitate to apply the breaks and reintroduce restrictions even at national level if required.”
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
23rd June 2020 
