Lockdowns result in businesses suffering. There is no denying that and the recovery of those businesses relies on several things, such as government grants as well as lockdown ends. Fortunately, the latest lockdown is coming to an end and with that end in sight, there is a gradual easing of lockdown measures. But even that is not a guarantee that your business is safe. So let’s evaluate how this will impact your business.
Four Phases, Four Tests
So, Lockdown will be eased in four phases. This is the government learning that too much too soon results in skyrocketing Covid cases. So, each phase is separating by several weeks as a way to judge how each phase has caused infection rates to react. Each phase will be lifted if four tests are passed. If these four tests are not passed. In the next phase does not happen. So What are the four tests?
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
- Infection rates don’t risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
- The assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern
These are the tests that need to be passed before the next phase commences.
What Are The Four Phases?
Phase One
- From March 8th- Stay at home order remains with schools returning
- Wraparound care, including sport for all children
- An outdoor activity with one other person
- From March 29th- Ruler of six or two households
- Outdoor sport and leisure activity
- The organised outdoor sport allowed
Phase Two (12 April at earliest)
- The Reopening of some sections of the indoor economy as well as more outdoor settings
- Indoor leisure, including gyms and spa (but not including saunas and steam rooms) open for individual or household use
- Outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinema
- Community centres and Libraries
- Personal Care Premises
- All Retail
- Outdoor hospitality with no requirement for a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew
- Domestic overnight stays and self-contained accommodation (household only)
- Event pilots begin. Pilots will be a part of the Events Research Programme
- People should continue to work from home where they can.
Phase Three (17th if May at the earliest)
Covid Secure guidelines remain in place and premises must not cater to groups larger than the legal limits.
- Indoor hospitality, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcoholic drinks, and no curfew. The requirement to order to eat and drink while seated remains.
- Indoor entertainment and attractions
- 30 person limit outdoors
- Remaining outdoor entertainment, including performances
- Indoor entertainment, such as museums, cinemas and children play areas
- Organised indoor adult sport
- Remaining in accommodation such as hotels, hostels and B&Bs
- Some large events (except for pilots) with limits of 50£ or 1000 indoor and 4000 or 50% outdoors.
- International Travel but subject to review
- The Govt will continue to advise to work from home whenever possible
Phase Four (21 June at the earliest)
- No legal limited to social contact
- Reopen remaining closed settings, including night clubs and enable large events including theatre performances
- Larger events
- No legal limits on all life events
When it comes to the recovery process from Covid, the first step is understanding how the UK Road map to the end of lockdown will impact you. You need to know when you can reopen and what restrictions there are in place when you are allowed to go back to work. Breaking the rules can lead to hefty fines and no one wants that.