LONDON: United Kingdom has planned to lift lockdown from the first week of December followed by ‘tougher’ post-lockdown ranges for the country.
Unnecessary shops in all parts of the country will be allowed to reopen once the lockdown is lifted at the beginning of the next month. UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in this regard, stated that three-tiered regional measures will return from 2nd December.
Moreover, several sporting events, weddings, and collective worships will also resume in the country. All restaurants and pubs are also allowed to open with strict coronavirus SOPs.
All regions will get different tiers with the allocation of tiers dependent on a number of factors, including each area’s case numbers. The tier allocations will be reviewed after every 14 days.
According to Boris Johnson, things will change with a vaccine and mass testing. “Things will look and feel very different after Easter, with a vaccine and mass testing,” he added.
Speaking last week on the potential re-opening for retailers, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said retailers were now holding their breath on the government’s plans for rents, rates, and reopening.
“With shops closed for November, many will struggle to pay rents from 1st January, when the moratorium ends, and it is essential that government extends this to allow for successful negotiations between retailers and landlords.
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“The Treasury must also address the incoming business rates burden to avoid burying retailers under an £8 billion bill from 2021. However, the most important issue is to ensure all shops can reopen from the start of December as the all-important Christmas shopping period gets into full swing,” Helen Dickinson said.
He added, “Retailers have spent hundreds of millions on safety measures to protect colleagues and customers, and they stand prepared for reopening.” Lockdown restrictions have varied across the UK’s four countries.
