Business opening advice – July 4th

More businesses will be able to open from July 4^th following new guidelines from the Government.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out further changes to lockdown measures to re-open more businesses with new guidelines to keep staff and customers safe.

This includes changes in customer numbers, following social distancing, new queuing rules and making sure hygiene and hand washing measures are followed.

Businesses that can re-open provided they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines include:

• Pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants
• Hairdressers and barbers
• Holiday accommodation such as hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses. However shared sleeping spaces (i.e. dormitory rooms) should not open to any groups, except those travelling within the current government guidance on social mixing outside of household groups.
• Some leisure facilities and tourist attractions – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks, arcades and bingo halls
• Libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres

A link to the full guidelines on how to open safely can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

When visiting, people should only go in their household group (or support bubble), or with one other household, or with up to five other people if outdoors.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment, said:

This will be good news for many businesses which have been closed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic but it is vitally important that all guidelines and safety advice is followed properly. We need to keep everyone safe – staff, customers, visitors and all our residents.”

Other advice for businesses can be found on the Council’s website here: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/coronavirus/support-business

Anyone with any concerns over a business or premises which may not be following the new safety guidelines can contact: publicprotection@blackburn.gov.uk