New government guidelines have been announced, which state that some businesses will be able to open on the 4th July. This may come as welcome news to many who have been missing their usual pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.
Boris Johnson told members of parliament that the rate of infection in the community is now low enough to relax the social distancing rule, as long as steps are taken to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus.
Hospitality businesses, i.e cafes and bars will be able to operate under the one-metre plus rule. This will mean you’re able to sit closer together in venues where it isn’t possible to be two-metres apart, so long as further mitigating measures are in place, which could include wearing a face covering, more back-to-back seating options, perspex screens, barriers between tables, disposable menus and extra cleaning of commonly touched areas.
Research shows that face masks effectively provide a barrier for infectious droplets. It has also been pointed out that people can be highly infectious just a few days before showing symptoms of coronavirus and that some people are asymptomatic, possibly spreading the virus without knowing.
As more interaction with other people becomes possible, following government guidelines is paramount to help ensure the safety of yourself and those around you. Face masks and coverings can be seen as a courtesy of care, while hand washing and social distancing are also crucial to help minimise the spread of the virus.
If you choose to wear a face mask, make sure you’re using it safely and effectively. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or to use hand sanitiser before putting on your face mask, and before and after removing it. You should also avoid touching your face or face mask when wearing one, so as to avoid contaminating your mask with germs. If you are wearing a reusable and washable face mask, make sure you are washing it daily.
