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Covid restrictions to be lifted in England
Covid 19 restrictions to be lifted in England on July 19
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to lift all Covid 19 restrictions in England later this month, highlighting the successful rollout of the vaccine and a need to find new ways of living with the virus.
Subject to a final review of the data next week with the final go point on 12th July, legal restrictions will end on Monday 19 July, or step 4 of the Roadmap. At that point social distancing is to end, there will be no limits on gatherings and all venues currently closed will be able to reopen with no capacity limitation.
The use of face coverings will also become entirely voluntary, based on individual judgement rather than legal requirement. In principle businesses will be able to set their own rules on e.g., the use of facemasks as a pre-requisite to entry, but they will not be enforceable by law.
Scotland is due to move to Covid level 0 on 19 July, with all final legal restrictions lifted by 9 August.
Wales will review its measures on 15 July and Northern Ireland reviewing on 8 July.
Following the announcement, ALVA shared draft guidance for visitor attractions wishing to maintain some social distancing and other mitigation measures after the 19th of July. The guidance is based on ALVA sentiment analysis published on 30th June, which shows a majority (75%) of the visitor-attraction-going UK public are ‘not yet ready for social distancing and other measures to be removed or eased even if the Government allowed easing to occur.’ A YouGov poll conducted on 5 July echoed the findings with 71 per cent of people in England, Scotland and Wales agreeing that rules on face coverings on public transport should remain in place for longer and 66% in shops.
Responding to the announcement, AIM Director Lisa Ollerhead said
“We understand there will be a range of views across our member museums, their staff, volunteers and their visitors on the lifting of restrictions. We already know some will be maintaining the use of facemasks indoors, for example.
What should be a constant though is the need to listen to and understand staff, volunteer, and audience feelings, concerns, and ideas in deciding which measures may be best to continue and which to lift in ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all. AIM will support all its members in their own decisions on how to manage opening, including backing sites which choose to retain face coverings as a condition of entry, or which need to keep restricting numbers to ensure visitors and staff have space inside.
At AIM we are talking to sector colleagues to update the reopening guidance we produced with NMDC and Museum Development last year to account for the new position, and we welcome feedback from members on the further support we can provide.”