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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Charlotte Hadfield

All the new things you will be able to do from Monday as lockdown eases

People across England will be given a number of new freedoms from tomorrow as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

For the first time in over 12 weeks, people will be able to go clothes shopping and take a trip to the zoo or a safari park.

S ocial distancing measures will remain in place, while businesses have drawn up plans to ensure that this is possible.

Changes to the government rules on Saturday, mean single-adult households in England are now allowed to form a "support bubble" with another household.

As restrictions change again tomorrow, here is everything you need to know.

Changes to lockdown rules in England from June 15

Non-essential shops reopen

Thousands of non-essential shops in England are set to re-open on Monday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown was imposed in March.

Stores will have strict plans in place from tomorrow, while shoppers will be asked to abide by social distancing at all times.

Ahead of stores reopening tomorrow, Liverpool ONE has made a number of changes to keep visitors safe including one-way walking systems, designated queuing zones and hand sanitiser stations in place around the centre.

Social Distancing signs at Primark on Church Street, Liverpool (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

According to the confirmed timetable around 50 stores in Liverpool ONE are due to reopen on June 15 with more following throughout the summer.

Stores reopening tomorrow include Debenhams, Card Factory, Footasylum and Zara.

For the full list of Liverpool ONE stores opening their doors click here.

Zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas

Zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas are set to reopen in England from Monday.

The government said zoos and other animal attractions such as farms and safari parks can reopen, provided people stick to social distancing rules.

This came shortly after bosses at Chester Zoo said its future was "at risk of extinction."

Appealing for help on June 3, the charity said it needs to raise £1.6m a month to save it.

Places of worship can reopen for private prayer

Churches and other places of worship are set to open for private prayer from June 15.

Individuals will be able to "reflect and pray" while adhering to social-distancing rules - but worship groups, weddings and other services will still not be permitted.

Communal prayer will not be permitted until July 4 at the earliest, the government has said.

Face coverings will be compulsory on public transport

(PA)

Anyone who is travelling on trains, buses and other forms of public transport from tomorrow will be required to wear a face covering at all times.

Under the new rules, the government said people should wear a face covering - not a surgical mask - when travelling on public transport.

This means travellers could be turned away by staff if they refuse to comply with the rules.

Hospital visitors and staff will need to wear face coverings

New rules which come into force on Monday also require hospital visitors and patients in England to wear face coverings.

Meanwhile, all hospital staff must wear type 1 or type 2 surgical masks.

Secondary schools can start reopening

(Andrew James)

Secondary schools and colleges in England are being asked to start providing face-to-face support to Year 10 and 12 pupils, as well as 16 to 19-year-old students who are due to take key exams next year, from June 15.

However, only a quarter of pupils will be able to attend at any one time in order to limit the risk of transmission.

GCSE and A-level exams are expected to go ahead as normal next year, the education secretary has said.

Primary schools are already being encouraged to reopen to more pupils - but a number of councils have advised schools to delay reopening more widely.

Things that won't change until July or later

The hospitality sector remains largely closed with restaurants, hotels and pubs still unable to open to customers.

According to ministers, the earliest at which restaurants and hotels could be permitted to open would be sometime in July.

Hairdressers remain closed but could re-open in early July according to comments made by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab back in May.

Indoor leisure activities are still prohibited under the coronavirus rules with indoor sports courts, gyms, leisure centres and public swimming pools remaining closed.

Under the current rules you still can't visit people inside their homes or stay overnight unless you are a single-adult household which has joined with another household in a "support bubble."

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