Super Saturday: What's re-opening on July 4?

From July 4 non-essential businesses will reopen to the public after three months of being shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.
PA
Charlie Duffield3 July 2020

This Saturday is the first time in over three months that people in England will be able to drink a pint in a pub or order a meal inside a restaurant.

Many businesses have been rushing to make sure they are ready for so-called "Super Saturday", after Boris Johnson announced last week that they could reopen from July 4.

Emergency services have been told this weekend could be as busy as New Year's Eve, with pubs reopening in most of England on Saturday.

Mr Johnson cut the social distancing two-metre rule to "one metre plus" - so people can be just a metre apart if they take other mitigating measures, like sitting side by side or wearing a mask.

Here are all the non-essential businesses that will be reopening from Saturday, July 4.

A Practicioner pub employee prepares for the reopening of pubs in Hertford
REUTERS

What's reopening on July 4?

Pubs and restaurants

Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open from Saturday, but will look a little different from before.

Government guidance suggests staff should wear face coverings and take other precautions such as providing hand sanitiser and putting one-way systems in place to keep customers safe.

Venues should keep a record of all visitors so the NHS can trace any virus outbreaks, and all orders should be taken from the table, including possibly using smartphone apps.

Loud music and performances will not be allowed in order to prevent people from having to raise their voices, which can increase transmission.

Art Galleries and museums

Despite being given the go-ahead by the government to reopen on July 4, most English galleries and museums will do so at a later date.

The National Gallery will be the first major London gallery to reopen its doors, welcoming visitors from 8 July.

The Royal Academy also announced its plans on Tuesday, reopening from July 9, with face masks compulsory. The Barbican gallery will open on July 13.

Tate said its four venues would not reopen their doors until July 27.

The Design Museum in London is removing its ticket desks and is moving to an online ticketing system to avoid the need for physical tickets and queues. There will also be a strict 90-minute time limit to reduce crowding and everyone will be directed along a one-way route.

Many other venues have not yet set a firm date, but some will not let the public back in until August or September.

AFP via Getty Images

Cinemas

Likewise, cinemas in England can reopen from July 4, but many will not be ready to do so.

From July 10, ten Odeon cinemas will reopen, and a further 88 over the following weeks.

Nine Showcase cinemas will reopen, with eight branches on July 10.

Cineworld, Vue and Picturehouse were due to also open on July 10, but this has now been pushed back to July 31.

Six branches of Everyman cinema will reopen on July 4, with another 27 after that.

Curzon in Canterbury will reopen on July 17, in May on July 24 and most of the other eleven branches on July 31.

Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skating rinks

Outdoor playgrounds and gyms, and skating rinks, count as outdoor facilities so, with appropriate hygiene practices, like keeping our hands clean, can also reopen from July 4.

Mr Johnson said: "Most leisure facilities and tourist attractions will reopen if they can do so safely, including outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades."

Theatres and concert halls

Although theatres and concert halls can reopen they will not be able to put on any live shows.

Theatres can, for example, use their space to screen a past performance but not a live-action show.

Mr Johnson said he would "work with the arts industry on specific guidance to enable choirs, orchestras and theatres to resume live performances as soon as possible."

Hairdressers

Hair salons can reopen from July 4, although they will have to balance the demand for appointments with the need for social distancing.

Under new measures, there will be no flicking through magazines with a coffee while you wait for your appointment, and staff will have to wear face visors, avoid talking with customers and regularly wash their hands.

Libraries

UK libraries will start to reopen from July 4, but once again there will be strict health and safety measures in place.

Visitors must adhere to social distancing, and book computers in advance, while at the moment there will be limited services on offer.

So far, 36 of 150 library services have declared at least partially when and how they will reopen, of which 25 are some form of “click and collect only”.

Fabio De Paola/PA Wire

Theme parks

From the July 4, the Government will allow theme parks in England to reopen, providing that they can do so safely.

Places of worship

From July 4, many places of worship will be open to worshippers, but it will be up to each venue to decide capacity.

Social distancing must be adhered to with a space between each worshipper, and staggered entry times.

All prayer mats and service sheets that were previously communal will now have a one-time use.

Hotels

Hotels with en suite showering facilities, or one designated shower facility per guest room, can reopen from July 4.

There must be screens in reception, minimal lift usage, new room service delivery plans, a cleaning checklist for housekeeping, social distancing in place and the wearing of face masks.

Campsites

From July 4 campsites will be able to open - as long as communal spaces remain clean and safe.

People will be allowed to travel to their second homes to stay overnight, and two households will be able to go on holiday together.

Other facilities

In addition, social clubs, model villages, community centres and bingo halls can all reopen from July 4.