Theatres, casinos and bowling alleys are opening today as part of the latest easing of lockdown restrictions in England.
The relaxed measures will also mean tattoo studios, beauty salons, spas and hairdressers can offer additional services, including face treatments such as eyebrow threading.
More rules will be eased to allow:
- Skating rinks, indoor play and soft play centres to reopen
- Sit-down wedding receptions for up to 30 people to resume
- Indoor arts and music performances with socially distanced audiences
- Sports and business events pilots to resume
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had initially planned to ease the lockdown on 1 August, but a spike in coronavirus cases at the time resulted in the measures being pushed back for two weeks.
While some restrictions are being loosened, people returning to or visiting the UK from France will now have to quarantine for two weeks after infections surged across the Channel.
Travellers from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba will also face a two-week quarantine.
An estimated 160,000 holidaymakers were expected to try returning to the UK from France before the measures came into effect at 4am on Saturday, according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Britons rush to beat quarantine deadline
Meanwhile, those who repeatedly refuse to wear a mask could be forced to pay fines of up to £3,200.
Under the current rules, people face a £100 fine, but the penalty will now double for subsequent offences up to a maximum of £3,200.
Organisers of illegal raves may also face a £10,000 penalty.
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Businesses have told of their excitement to be welcoming customers back, but some have complained of the short notice given.
Beauty therapist Alice Bellamy, 67, from Calne in Wiltshire, said: “I am indeed delighted. One day’s notice is not amazing but it’s typical of the total ineptitude of this government and its handling of this pandemic.
“But I am overjoyed and so are my clients, my phone has been hot, hot, hot.
Eyebrow threading is resuming
“I have booked in a facial treatment tomorrow morning already and I have got lots more coming in the next week that I couldn’t do previously.”
Hollywood Bowl confirmed that 48 of its 61 bowling alleys are reopening today, with each operating with reduced numbers of lanes, reduced customer capacity and groups restricted to a maximum of six people.
A member of Staff at Hollywood Bowl in Thurrock, Essex
“We’ve been ready to reopen in the fully government-approved COVID-secure way for many weeks and our trained teams are eager to get back to work,” said chief executive Stephen Burns.
“Our centres are spacious and well-suited for social distancing, and we’ve put in place wide-ranging hygiene and sanitisation measures.”