Parents will be allowed to ask friends and family for help with childcare under the relaxation of coronavirus rules, the PM said today.
Boris Johnson earlier announced a huge relaxation of lockdown rules from July 4 in an attempt to get the country moving again.
Pubs, bars, cafes and hotels would open once again – and people will be able to get their hair cut too.
In addition, people will be able to meet with others from outside their household indoors – as long as they stay at least 1m apart.
This means that for desperate parents who have been stuck inside for weeks, some respite is in sight.
Kids will be able to go to a friend’s house for a playdate, or grandparents will be able to look after children while they head back to work.
In a major update today, Boris announced:
- He was slashing the 2m rule down to ‘1m plus’
- Staycations from July 4 got the green light as hotels and bed and breakfasts were told they could reopen
- Pubs will also reopen from July 4 – but only one household can go inside with another and new measures will be in place
- After three long months Brits will finally be able to get a haircut
- But nail salons, gyms and nightclubs will remain closed for now
- People will be allowed to see one other household inside – but they must still keep their distance
- And sleepovers are finally allowed from July 4
Speaking in the Commons, Conservative MP Miriam Cates (Penistone and Stocksbridge) also said: “Many workers and business owners are parents as well and they can’t return to work until their children are back at school.
“So will (Mr Johnson) agree with me that for these businesses to recover we need all children back at school in September and can he also confirm that this announcement means that in the meantime people can start to ask friends and family for help with childcare?”
Mr Johnson replied: “Yes, it does mean that but we’re also committed to getting all our schools back in September, and I do believe it will be possible if we stick to this plan, stick to the guidance to do it in a safe way.”
He said “wraparound care” for school-age children and formal childcare arrangements will “restart over the summer” and said he hopes there will be “full attendance” at schools from September as planned.
The PM earlier joked he is “coping fine” with parenthood during lockdown after the birth of his son Wilfred, with fiance Carrie Symonds, in April.
Hotels, pubs, libraries, hairdressers and even caravan sites will be able to open from next month – but you can only use them with one other household.
But gyms, spas and nightclubs will remain shut as they still pose too much of a risk.
It is the biggest change to lockdown measures since the nation was forced into lockdown on March 23 as Britain looks to get back up and running.
