Coronavirus Lockdown Easing: What it means for those with little ones...

After the Prime Minister’s announcement on Tuesday we were overjoyed to learn we are now able people to see more of our friends and family!

Life with little ones looks set to get a whole lot easier, thankfully.

From Saturday 4th July, two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, and people can now enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites. Let’s get those playdates pencilled in mummies!

This means that for desperate parents who have been struggling for weeks, FINALLY some respite is in sight.

Children will be able to go to a friend’s house for a playdate, and grandparents will be able to look after children while parents head back to work.

Boris announced that wrap-around care for school age children and formal childcare will restart over the summer and that primary and secondary education will recommence in September with full attendance. He also encouraged those children who can already go back to school to do so – ‘because it is safe’.

Boris also set out that where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’. Which means staying one metre apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission.

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen on the same date, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.

Some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.

Unfortunately “close proximity” venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will need to remain closed for now. The Government is continuing to work with these sectors to establish taskforces to help them to become COVID Secure and reopen as soon as possible.

While the infection rate continues to fall, the Prime Minister has been clear that the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control.

You can read the PM’S full statement HERE.

What do you think of the new lockdown guidance? Let us know in the comments!