SITTING PRETTY
Beauty salons, gyms and hairdressers set to reopen on Dec 2 in huge boost before Christmas
BEAUTY salons, gyms and hairdressers are set to reopen on December 2 in a huge morale boost before Christmas.
Boris Johnson will convene his Cabinet later today before he formally announces his Covid Winter Plan and the post-lockdown restrictions in Parliament tomorrow.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
5
Concerns were raised that gyms and beauty salons would be an afterthought as England makes its way out of the second lockdown in 10 days' time.
But it is understood that ministers are pushing for them to be allowed to open after December 2 - as the festive period is a busy time for the businesses.
A source told the : "Businesses such as gyms and beauty salons are dying to open and have made themselves Covid safe.
"People want to get their nails done before Christmas – it's a huge season for these businesses."
However, it's not known whether fitness and beauty businesses will be allowed to open in the new toughest tiers.
In the old tier system which was in place during October, some Tier 3 areas like Liverpool were forced to shut their gyms, while other cities like Manchester were still allowed to keep fitness facilities open.
So while the beauty salons and gyms may be able to open in the lower tiers, they may not be able to operate all across the country, depending on the Government's decisions.
Hairdressers, gyms and beauty salons were forced to shut their doors on November 5 as the country was plunged back into a four week lockdown.
They had been open, along with restaurants and pubs, since July 4 - when restrictions from the first lockdown were eventually eased.
SITTING PRETTY
Gyms were among the last businesses to reopen after the first lockdown, and were only given the green light to do so from July 25.
Last night, Boris Johnson was poised to bring in tough new curbs as he finalised his Covid Winter Plan.
England will be told to expect a strengthened set of regional restrictions when the country leaves lockdown on December 2 as No 10 fears the virus “could quickly run out of control again”.
Documents will also be published in the next 24 hours with warnings from government advisers that the previous tiers regime was too weak.
A source said: “The going is going to get tough — get ready for tiers on steroids.”
It could mean some areas facing fresh measures such as extra travel bans and curbs on overnight stays.
However, the PM is expected to try to stagger drinkers’ leaving times by extending pub closing to 11pm — although last orders will be at 10pm rather than the strict curfew enforced before lockdown.
And almost all shops could reopen, but bookies and pubs that do not serve food might remain closed in places with the highest infection rates.
The pubs measure — along with keeping all non-essential retail outlets open — is set to be part of the PM’s new three-tier approach to keep the virus under control.
This comes as Brits are set to be blocked from mixing with family and friends until EASTER under the new lockdown tiers.
5
Most read in UK News
Under the ramped-up rules, millions of Brits will be banned from mixing with other households indoors under Tier 2 or 3.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
There will be a brief reprieve for up to five days over Christmas to allow families to celebrate together before they are plunged into the tough restrictions in the new year.
This is to ensure the UK returns to "normal life" by Easter - meaning families face months without being able to see each other.
5
5
5
Hairdresser shows how important heat protector spray is with wacky experiment - and even bread won’t toast when sprayed with it
Topics