Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will announce when businesses that are currently closed under covid-19 restrictions in (a) Blackpool and (b) the UK may open again.

To reduce social contact and the spread of infection, the Government previously ordered certain businesses and venues to close to members of the public across England. This list of closures was in line with advice from medical professionals. Though there has been tragic loss of life, thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the British people, the UK has slowed the spread of Coronavirus.

Following earlier easements in May and June, as part of Step Three of the government’s plan to return life to as near normal as we can, further businesses and venues were allowed to open from 4, 11 and 13 July.

Certain premises have been required to remain closed beyond 13 July, due to the higher risk of infection in those premises. The Prime Minister gave an oral statement on 17 July to set out the next chapter in the UK’s Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. From 25 July, subject to assessment of the evidence at the time regarding the rates of transmission, it is proposed that sports facilities and venues, such as indoor gyms, fitness and dance studios, indoor swimming pools and indoor facilities at water parks will be permitted to open.

From 1 August, subject to assessment of the evidence at the time regarding the rates of transmission, it is proposed that most remaining leisure settings, including bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, and casinos will be permitted to reopen.

The venues where people are likely to be very close to each other and are particularly challenging to reopen in a safe way at the present time due to the high transmission risk, will be required to remain closed after 1 August. This includes nightclubs, soft play areas, and sexual entertainment venues. These will be kept under review.

The COVID-19 recovery strategy applies to England only. The Devolved Administrations are making their own assessments about the lifting of measures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.