Video
Hancock: England ‘clearly on track’ for further easing of lockdown on July 4
Matt Hancock appears on The Andrew Marr Show. Photograph: BBC. - Credit: Archant
Matt Hancock has said England is 'clearly on track' to further ease the coronavirus lockdown, with the hope pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could reopen as early as July 4.
The health secretary promised the next steps would be set out this week, along with any alteration to the two-metre social distancing guidance.
Hancock told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: 'We're clearly on track for that plan because (of) the number of cases coming down, and the plan does refer to hospitality and some of the other things that are closed that so many people want to see open.'
Acknowledging that 'a lot of the country does need a haircut', he said that he is 'not going to rule out' hairdressers and barbers also being able to reopen on July 4.
Later on The Andrew Marr Show, he said the government will announce the results of a review into the two-metre rule, and the next step for the lockdown, this week.
You may also want to watch:
'I think we are about to see another step in the plan and this week we will announce further details of the measures that we can take to relieve some of the national lockdown measures at the start of July including on July 4,' he said on the BBC programme.
'We're going to set out those details absolutely this week.'
Most Read
- 1 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 2 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 3 Minister terminates interview after suggesting public's age and weight to blame for UK's high death toll
- 4 This picture of Boris Johnson on the phone to Joe Biden has caused a stir
- 5 Telegraph columnist blames Angela Merkel for Brexit
- 6 Boris Johnson to visit Scotland this week in attempt to shore up the union
- 7 Brexiteer calls for UK to save Eurostar - by buying it and renaming it 'Britstar'
- 8 Petition launched to cancel 'festival of Brexit' event in 2022
- 9 Brussels to launch campaign teaching younger Britons about the EU
- 10 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
He gave perspex screens, masks and altered seating arrangements as examples of measures to mitigate the risk of spreading coronavirus if the two-metre rule is changed.
And he floated the idea that punters at pubs and bars could have to sign a guest book with their names and contact details so they could be swiftly traced if they come into contact with an infection.
Hotels are also awaiting the go-ahead to reopen and revive the chance of holidays within the UK and boost the economy.
To aid the recovery, Hancock did not rule out suggestions that Rishi Sunak could slash VAT to encourage spending, telling Ridge: 'It's very much a matter for the chancellor.'
The health secretary also said a reduction in the distance rule would 'undoubtedly help with schools', pointing to Northern Ireland where it will be reduced to one metre.
A strong hint that it will also be reduced in England earlier came from Sunak, who said the review ordered by Boris Johnson 'will make an enormous difference' to businesses.
The prime minister has been under pressure from his own MPs as well as the hospitality sector to reduce it.
Plans to further ease the lockdown emerged as the total number of deaths involving coronavirus in the UK is thought to have passed 53,000.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
