UK Government plans for all shops to reopen on June 15, Boris Johnson announces

Boris Johnson has announced that the Government plans for all non-essential retail shops to reopen as of June 15.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, the PM set out his plans for the staged reopening of shops in England at his Downing Street press conference.

Mr Johnson also announced that outdoor markets and car showrooms can open in a week on June 1, provided they are "Covid secure".

He also urged people to go to the shops to help the economy bounce back, saying: “I’m certainly not going to discourage them from spending at all.

“I think that it’s early days but we are very much hoping there will be a bounce back over the next few months.”

It comes as the PM faces an ongoing row after Dominic Cummings, his top aide, made a public statement to explain his March trip to Durham during coronavirus lockdown.

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But at the daily Covid-19 press conference, Mr Johnson focusses on the Governments plans to kickstart the retail industry.

He said: “We will set out our formal assessment of the five tests that we set for adjusting the lockdown later this week as part of the three-weekly review we are legally required to undertake by Thursday.

“But because of the progress we are making I can, with confidence, put the British people on notice of the changes we intend to introduce as we move to step two.”

Shops on Camden High Street under lockdown
PA

From June 1, outdoor markets and car showrooms will be allowed to open, provided they can do so safely.

He said: “We know that the transmission of the virus is lower outdoors and that it is easier to follow Covid secure guidelines in open spaces.”

The British high street has been hard hit by the pandemic
PA

From June 15, “all other non-essential retail” will be allowed to reopen, contingent on progress in the fight against coronavirus and if the businesses are “Covid secure”.

The Prime Minister said new guidance was being published for the retail sector “detailing the measures they should take to meet the necessary social distancing and hygiene standards”.

“Shops now have the time to implement this guidance before they reopen,” he said.

“This will ensure there can be no doubt about what steps they should take.”

Boris Johnson said the authorities would “have the powers we need to enforce compliance where that is required”.

“I want people to be confident that they can shop safely provided they follow the social distancing rules for all premises,” he added.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement that retailers will be able to begin reopening next month, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “We welcome the announcement of the Government’s road map for reopening a broader range of shops next month, which provides much needed clarity on the route ahead.

“Safety is the fundamental concern for all retailers and they have been working hard to implement the necessary measures to operate safely over the past weeks.

“Now that we know which shops can open and when, retailers can begin communicating their plans with their workforces and customers. The industry stands ready to play its part in getting the economy moving again.”

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