On Monday, the Prime Minister set out a timetable for retail to reopen in June. This will allow non-essential shops to reopen in Orpington, once they are COVID-19 secure and can show customers will be kept safe.
This is an important step towards restoring people's livelihoods and restarting our local economy. If any businesses need further information about making their workplace COVID-19 secure, please visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
We are only able to take this step due to the progress we have made in controlling coronavirus. As the lockdown eases, people must continue to stay alert and follow the rules.
From the 1st June:
Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen, as soon as they can meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.
As with garden centres, the risk of transmission of the virus is lower in these outdoor and more open spaces. Car showrooms often have significant outdoor space, and it is generally easier to apply social distancing.
From the 15th June:
All other non-essential retail including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets, will be able to reopen. This will only happen if we continue to control the virus, and they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines, giving them three weeks to prepare.
Hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons, and the hospitality sector remain closed because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher where long periods of person to person contact is required.
Businesses will only be able to open from these dates once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks.
Updated COVID-secure guidelines for people who work in or run shops, branches, and stores has been published.