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COVID-19 Licensing Issues: Government Taskforces to look at re-opening guidelines for closed businesses Published Date: 14/05/2020

The government published its Roadmap on 11 May 2020. It set out that non-essential retail businesses may be reopened in phases from 1 June, where and when it is safe to do so, and if those businesses can meet new working safely during coronavirus guidelines. These guidelines have been developed in consultation with businesses and employee groups, and will be kept constantly updated and reviewed.

Reopening other (currently closed) businesses and public places will take place when the science allows, and when they can meet new COVID-19 secure guidelines, which relate to their specific activities. To support the development of such guidelines, the government will establish five ministerially-led ‘taskforces’:

  • Pubs and restaurants(Department for Business, Energy and industrial Strategy)
  • Non-essential retail (including salons)(Department for Business, Energy and industrial Strategy)
  • Recreation and leisure, including tourism, culture and heritage, libraries, entertainment and sport(Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
  • Places of worship(Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local government)
  • International aviation(Department for Transport)

Each taskforce will be chaired by a minister from each of the departments set out above. The international aviation taskforce reflects the unique challenges that sector is facing. There will also be separate sectoral sub-groups set up under these taskforces to examine issues specific to that sector.

Aims and role of the taskforces

The terms of reference for the taskforces and sectoral subgroups that sit beneath them is to:

  • ensure that COVID-19 secure guidelines are developed in line with the phasing ambitions and public health directions, building on the existing (work settings) guidance and providing intelligence and sector-specific expert input
  • agree and ensure alignment of all relevant sectoral guidance
  • provide key sector stakeholders direct access to ministers

Membership

Membership of the taskforces and sub-groups will be for the relevant minister to determine.

Taskforce members may include as standing members:

  • Secretary of State (Chair)
  • other government department’s ministers (or by invitation, where relevant)
  • government officials
  • Chief Scientific Adviser
  • Public Health England
  • Health and Safety Executive

Others to be invited where SoS requires:

  • leads from specific subgroups inc sector leads.
  • trade union representatives
  • devolved administration representatives
  • other relevant individual experts

For more information about the taskforces, please contact:

 

Changes to closed businesses and venues from 13 May 2020

Sector

Required to close

Exceptions

From 13 May

Food and drink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants and public houses, wine bars or other food and drink establishments including within hotels and members’ clubs

-        Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational. This can be a new activity supported by the new permitted development rights in England. This covers the provision of hot or cold food that has been prepared for consumers for collection or delivery to be consumed, reheated or cooked by consumers off the premises.

-        Room service in hotels and accommodation.

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 - engagement through taskforce on Pubs and Restaurants

Cafés and canteens

-        Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational (and as above).

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Pubs and Restaurants

 

-        Cafés and canteens at hospitals, police and fire services’ places of work, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless may remain open.

-        Where there are no practical alternatives, other workplace canteens can remain open to provide food for their staff. For example, this could include canteens at police or fire services’ places of work.

-        However, where possible, the government advises that staff should be encouraged to bring their own food, and distributors can move to takeaway. Employers are encouraged to take measures to minimise the number of people in the canteen, for example by using a rota.

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail salons, including piercing and tattoo parlours

-

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 - engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

All retail with notable exceptions

-        Supermarkets and other food shops

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 2, workplaces should meet Covid-19 guidelines - engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-        Medical services (e.g. dental surgeries)

-        Pharmacies and chemists

-        Petrol stations

-        Bicycle shops

-        Hardware shops and equipment, plant and tool hire

-        Garden centres (from 13 May)

-        Veterinary surgeries and pet shops

-        Agricultural supplies shops

-        Corner shops and newsagents

-        Off-licences and licensed shops selling alcohol

-        Laundrettes and dry cleaners

-        Post offices

-        High street banks, credit unions and cash points

-        Shopping centres may stay open but only units of the types listed above may trade

Outdoor and indoor markets

-        Livestock markets and stalls selling food

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 2, workplaces should meet Covid-19 guidelines - engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

Auction houses

-        Livestock auctions

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 2, workplaces should meet Covid-19 guidelines - engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

Accommodation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, hostels, B&Bs, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses for commercial use

-        Where people live in these as interim abodes whilst their primary residence is unavailable, or they live in them in permanently they may continue to do so.

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

 

 

 

-        Critical workers and non-UK residents who are unable to travel to their country of residence during this period can continue to stay in hotels or similar where required.

-        Hotels and other accommodation listed can be provided to any person who is unable to return to their main residence, and to non-UK residents unable to travel.

-        People who are unable to move into a new home due to the current restrictions can also stay at hotels.

-        Where hotels, hostels, and B&Bs are providing rooms to support homeless and other vulnerable people such as those who cannot safely stay in their home, through arrangements with local authorities and other public bodies, they may remain open.

-        Those attending a funeral will be able to use hotels when returning home would be impractical.

-        Hotels and other accommodation listed are allowed to host blood donation sessions.

Caravan parks/sites for commercial uses

-        Where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so.

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

-        Caravan parks also have the same exemptions as hotels and other forms of accommodation listed above.

Non- residential institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Libraries

-        Digital library services and those where orders are taken electronically, by telephone or by post (for example no-contact Home Library Services) may continue.

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Community centres, youth centres and similar

-        Community centres can open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary activities and urgent public services, such as food banks, homeless services, and blood donation sessions.

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Places of Worship

-        A community centre can open temporarily to host a blood donation session for these services only. Public Health England guidelines should be followed, maintaining a distance of two metres.

Places of worship

-        Funerals may be held, but it is advised that they be conducted in line with guidance from Public Health England.

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 - engagement through taskforce on Places of Worship

 

 

-        Burial grounds and cemeteries can remain open. Grounds surrounding crematoria may also remain open, including gardens of remembrance.

-        Providers of funeral services, such as funeral directors and funeral homes, may remain open.

-        A minister of religion or worship leader may leave their home to travel to their place of worship. A place of worship may broadcast an act of worship, whether over the internet or otherwise.

-        A place of worship can remain open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary activities and urgent public services, such as food banks, homeless services, and blood donation sessions.

Assembly and leisure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museums and galleries

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Nightclubs

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Cinemas, theatres and concert halls

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Bingo halls, casinos and betting shops

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Spas and massage parlours

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 - engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

Skating rinks

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres

-        Any suitable assembly or leisure premises may open for blood donation sessions.

Remain closed apart from exception

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Arcades, bowling alleys, soft play centres and similar

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Funfairs

-         

Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Outdoor recreation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playgrounds, sports courts and pitches, and outdoor gyms or similar

-        Parks can remain open. See further government guidance on access to green spaces.

Reopen outdoor sports courts from 13 May

 

Outdoor gyms, playgrounds and indoor facilities will remain closed

 

Further easing of restrictions will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure