The Prime Minister confirmed the national lockdown would end on December 2 as planned and be replaced with “tougher” regional tiers, which will be announced on Thursday. Gyms, shops and personal care providers can also re-open, while the 10pm pub curfew has been replaced with last orders at 10pm and doors closed by 11pm.
Providing an initial response to the Prime Minister’s announcement, BCC Director General, Adam Marshal,l said: “It is helpful that the Prime Minister has heeded our call to give businesses at least a week’s notice of the rule changes that will affect firms across England from December 2.
“Businesses across England now need to see the detail – and will judge the latest set of COVID rules on whether they are easy to understand and based on clear, transparently-presented evidence.
“They need to know that the new rules will be accompanied by commensurate support, by a significant expansion of mass testing, particularly to workplaces across the country and by a plan to get the economy fully open again.
“The reduction of time in quarantine for international passengers will help to re-establish connections to key markets and trade partners across the world, helping businesses that depend on the UK’s connectivity and preserving industries and livelihoods.
“Ministers can’t simply keep switching businesses on and off like a light switch without expecting severe consequences. COVID-secure businesses will be looking to the Government for a plan that keeps them, and the economy, open throughout winter and beyond.”
The Government’s full COVID-19 winter plan is available to read online here.
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