Nightclubs will remain closed for at least another four weeks after the Government announced the England’s roadmap out of lockdown would be delayed.
Speaking at a press conference this evening, Boris Johnson announced that Step 4, the final easing of restrictions, will no longer go ahead as planned on June 21.
Under the Government's road map, which was released back in February, June 21 was the provisional date set for all legal limits on social contact to be removed, as well as the reopening of the remaining businesses such as nightclubs.
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However, there have recently been calls to push the date back in order to allow time for more people to get vaccinated, after coronavirus cases and concerns about the Delta variant increased.
From Downing Street today, the Prime Minister confirmed the final easing of restrictions will now not go ahead until July 19.
Mr Johnson said he wanted to give the NHS more time to get jabs in arms, and urged people to just "wait a while longer".
By Monday, July 19 the Government is aiming to have jabbed two thirds of the adult population, including all over 50s and the vulnerable.
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This means that nightclubs across the country will now be unable to open from June 21 as expected, but instead will spend an additional four weeks with their doors closed.
Nightclubs cannot reopen until July 19, though these decisions will undergo a two week review that could see businesses reopen sooner.
The delay will come as a bitter blow to many, particularly in the hospitality and leisure sectors, which had been pinning their hopes on a full summer reopening to help recoup some of the losses of the past year.
While most current restrictions will remain in place, a limit on the number of guests at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events will be lifted.
