When is Boris Johnson’s next lockdown announcement? Date and time of the next review - and what rules could change

Following the latest lockdown review in on 23 June, several changes to rules in England were announced, including plans to reopen the hospitality sector.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the changes will take effect from 4 July, meaning pubs, restaurants and hotels in England will be allowed to reopen for business.

The changes follow previous easing of measures, that have permitted the reopening of shops, a phased return for schools, and relaxations to meeting family and friends.

However, the new guidance only applies in England, as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are adopting their own approach to the next phase of lockdown.

When is the next lockdown review?

A review of lockdown restrictions was initially supposed to be held every three weeks, but ministers have not changed the law to allow them more time to make decisions.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that the review is being extended by a full week in a Written Ministerial Statement on 2 June, meaning decisions on any changes will now be made every 28 days.

In the statement he wrote: “To ensure that we are making future decisions about the lockdown at the right time, the maximum review period will change from 21 days to 28 days.

“This will allow decisions to align more closely with the period of time necessary to assess the impact of previous changes on key data feeds, including the R rate.

“The Government will also keep all the measures under continual review and will account to Parliament on an ongoing basis.”

As such, this means that the next lockdown review should take place on 21 July.

What restrictions will lift in July?

The next phase of easing lockdown in England will begin from 4 July, with the following restrictions to be lifted from that date:

Visiting family and friends

As of 4 July, two households of any size in England will be allowed to meet up indoors, and stay overnight.

Changes to restrictions also mean that people will be able to stay overnight in self-contained accommodation, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and campsites, providing shared facilities are kept clean.

Social distancing

The two metre social distancing rule will be relaxed and replaced instead with a “one metre plus” rule.

Under the new guidance, people are advised to keep one metre apart, with mitigating measures in place. This means people are encouraged to wear face coverings, sit side to side rather than face to face, and increase their use of hand sanitiser.

Reopening of businesses

Many businesses that have been forced to remain closed will be permitted to reopen from 4 July, providing they are “Covid-secure”.

This includes hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks and boarding houses.

Restaurants, cafes, workplace canteens, bars and pubs will be allowed to reopen with a limited table service.

Cinemas, places of worship, libraries, community centres and bingo halls can also reopen, along with theatres and concert halls, although not for live performances.

Museums and galleries, hairdressers and barbers can reopen, as can outdoor playgrounds, outdoor gyms, funfairs, theme parks and adventure parks.

Amusement arcades, outdoor skating rinks, indoor leisure centres or facilities, including indoor games and recreation, can open up, as well as social clubs, model villages and indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms and wildlife centres.

What changes could be made at the next review?

While many businesses will be allowed to reopen from July, some venues have been forced to stay shut.

These include nightclubs, casinos, bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, and indoor play areas, including soft play. Spas, nail bars and beauty salons must also remain closed for now, as must massage, tattoo and piercing parlours.

Indoor fitness and dance studios, indoor gyms and sport venues, will stay closed, as well as swimming pools, water parks, exhibition and conference centres.

However, if the government considers it safe, these businesses could be permitted to open again following the next review of measures.

There are also plans in place for Primary and secondary education to recommence in September with full attendance. Children who can already attend school have been advised to continue to do so, because it is safe.