July 4 lockdown rules changes – what can we do from Super Saturday Independence Day?
BRITS have taken another step away from lockdown and house arrest towards some semblance of normality as pubs, restaurants and barbers open their doors again.
The day has been dubbed Super Saturday or the UK's Independence Day, after the businesses have spent three months being shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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What are the new lockdown rules from July 4?
As businesses reopen from July 4, there are a number of rules that they will have to adhere to in order to keep staff and customers safe.
Below are the rules you should keep in mind.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
The PM announced that the two-metre rule would be reduced to "1 metre plus" in England meaning people should stay 2 metres away where possible - or stay 1 metre away and have other measures such as face masks to help lower the risk.
People will be able to meet with two households after July 4.
This can include one of your support bubbles if you live alone and will be able to meet up both indoors and outdoors.
You will not be allowed to stay overnight with members from two or more other households.
CINEMAS
Cinemas in England will be able to reopen on July 4.
Limited tickets will be available at screenings as there must be at least three seats used to separate households.
Pick-and-mix sweet sections will be closed.
Contactless payments will be encouraged in venues in order to limit contact with staff.
Cinemas will also be expected to introduce staggered film start times to enable extra cleaning between screenings and a focus on online booking.
Plastic screens will also be installed at "key contact points", such as till areas.
RELIGION/PLACES OF WORSHIP
From July 4, many places of worship will be open to worshippers.
It will be up to the place of worship to decide the capacity of each venue.
Social distancing must be adhered to with a space between each worshipper.
Staggering entry times to the places of worship will allow people to stay distant along with one-way travel routes.
All prayer mats and service sheets that were previously communal will now have a one-time use.
WEDDINGS
Weddings will be able to restart from July - but they won't be quite the same and people will only be allowed 30 guests at the ceremony.
Different households are expected to stand two-metres apart even at the top of the aisle.
PEOPLE SHIELDING
Millions of people shielding in England will be advised to spend more time outside of their homes from July 6.
According to the government website, people shielding from the virus can meet up in groups of up to six people outdoors and form a "support bubble".
The shielding support package will last until the end of July when people will no longer have to shield from the virus.
CAMPING
Campers can rejoice as campsites will be able to open from July 4 - as long as communal spaces remain clean and safe.
Campsites, along with caravan parks, hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets are to reopen from July 4 and people will be allowed to travel to their second homes to stay overnight.
This includes one other household, meaning two households will be able to go on holiday together.
PUBS AND RESTAURANTS
Venues are being encouraged to be table-service only, and have guests order drinks and food through an app where possible.
Broadcasts that gather larger crowds that yell at a TV are banned.
Loud music will also be banned to stop people having to shout to be heard by their friends.
The guidance warns venues they "should not permit live performances, including drama, comedy and music, to take place in front of a live audience".
Venues are being encouraged to use disposable condiment packets where possible to limit the spread of germs via surfaces.
Cutlery won't be laid out on tables unless people order food either.
The guidance says businesses should help the NHS Test and Trace system by keeping a registry of patrons' contact details for at least 21 days in case of an outbreak.
Pubs and restaurants will have to reduce the number of people in venues at any one time to allow for social distancing - but also to discourage public transport use.
The new rules will ban groups of more than 30 people to form.
Toilets which have been closed throughout the coronavirus crisis will reopen in pubs, restaurants and public places.
But they will have to be subject to strict hygiene restrictions and extra cleaning.
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LIBRARIES
Libraries will reopen from July 4 with people advised to follow social distancing measures.
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The government hasn't specified how staff and visitors will stay safe in libraries just yet.
However, reopening will happen in phases based on public health guidance and risk management.