Which shops are considered 'essential stores'? The places that will remain open during the coronavirus lockdown

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The Government is beginning to lift sweeping restrictions on public life as part of the nationwide lockdown aimed at countering the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since March 23, Britons have been required to stay at home except for essential trips outdoors to buy necessities, exercise, provide assistance to the elderly and vulnerable, or travel to work and schools, where absolutely necessary. When outside, people have been told to keep at least two metres apart from anyone living outside of their household to ensure adequate social distancing is maintained.

As part of the extraordinary measures, all shops selling non-essential goods as well as leisure facilities, libraries, community centres, places of worship, hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and campsites among other businesses and venues have all been ordered closed, barring some exceptional circumstances. Restaurants, cafes and pubs have been permitted to offer customers delivery and hot food takeaway services.

Hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail salons, piercing and tattoo parlours have all been closed.

Bars, cinemas and theatres were also ordered to shut.

However, the Government is beginning to relax the lockdown, and some businesses are slowly being allowed to re-open, as long as they can maintain social distancing measures.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the Government's lockdown exit plan in a speech on 10 May, saying some shops will open from early June "at the earliest", provided the infection and reproduction rates of coronavirus remain low.

He stressed that the re-opening of some shops is "a conditional plan" - adding: "We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it, and yes, it is a global problem, but we must fix it".

Amid the widespread closures, here is a list of the shops and venues that have been allowed to remain open, and which may reopen soon:

The lockdown restrictions will remain in place for at least three weeks 
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Which shops are staying open?

Off-licences

Off-licences are allowed to open amid reports some supermarkets were running out of beer and wine.

Supermarkets

Supermarkets throughout the UK are permitted to remain open for customers. Many have imposed rationing on products amid the Covid-19 outbreak, however, after a wave of panic buying and stockpiling early in the pandemic saw several stores' shelves stripped of basic goods.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies will be allowed to keep their doors open in order to ensure people can obtain medicine as well as other health essentials during the lockdown.

Petrol stations

Petrol stations have not been ordered closed, partly due to the need to ensure key workers are able to access fuel if needed for travel to and from work and to take their children to school, as they are permitted to do.

Public toilets

Public toilets are allowed to remain open during the lockdown.

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Banks

Banks will be allowed to continue serving customers in person, but many are encouraging people to use online and telephone banking services wherever possible, instead of visiting branches.

Car parks

Car parks are permitted to stay open as key workers are still making essential journeys to work.

Storage and distribution facilities

Storage and distribution facilities, including delivery drop off points, are allowed to stay open and keep services running as normal.

Post offices

Most post office branches remain open, with services running as normal.

Home and hardware stores

Home and hardware shops will be allowed to remain open as they stock essential materials and equipment that help keep homes warm, safe and with power.

Garages

Garages are allowed to remain open under the new restrictions despite MOTs for lorries, buses and trailers having been suspended for up to three months.

The government says these vehicles must be kept roadworthy during this period, while MOTs for cars, motorcycles and light vans are currently under review.

Vehicle rental services

Vehicle rental services will stay open, meaning people can still rent cars, vans or trucks for essential travel.

Vets and pet shops

Vets and pet shops will not be forced closed, meaning owners will be able to access healthcare, food and other essential items for their pets as needed.

Laundrettes and dry cleaners

Laundrettes and dry cleaners will be allowed to continue serving customers during the lockdown, provided requisite social distancing measures are observed.

Undertakers

Undertakers are permitted to remain open as funerals are allowed to take place, albeit likely with stringent restrictions. Weddings and baptisms are temporarily banned, however.

Market stalls

Market stalls which provide essential items such as food are allowed to stay open.

Newsagents

Newsagents and corner shops are allowed to remain open in order to ensure people have access to essential everyday items.

Bicycle shops

With some commuting allowed and one act of exercise in public permitted every day, including cycling, bicycle shops will be allowed to remain open to ensure cyclists can keep their equipment in good order and roadworthy.

Shopping centres

Shopping centres are allowed to stay open if they have retail units which offer essential services, such as food or medicine, or shops on this list.

Garden centres

Some garden centres in the UK and Wales have been allowed to reopen since May 10, as many products are seasonal and have to be purchased within a certain time frame.

Which businesses may re-open soon?

Clothing shops

While clothes shops have not been considered essential businesses, they may begin opening from 1 June, as long as they can maintain social distancing measures. Fashion giants such as Next and Marks and Spencer have announced plans to partially re-open in June.

Pubs, bars and restaurants

Pubs, bars and restaurants may be allowed to re-open outdoor areas in June if they can maintain social distancing measures. Inside areas may take much longer to re-open fully.

Gyms

No official guidance has been provided, but the Guardian reported that the UK's 7,000 gyms and leisure centres could be allowed to reopen from July - provided they keep to strict social distancing and cleaning rules.

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