Step four of COVID roadmap will happen on 19 July

The delayed step four of the four step plan for reopening the economy will take place on 19 July 2021, as confirmed by the Prime Minister on 12 July.

The move to Step 4 was delayed by 4 weeks so more adults could be vaccinated.

By 19 July it is expected that two thirds of adults will have received two doses and every adult will have been offered a first dose.

Although the unlocking will proceed, the Prime Minister emphasised caution and the expectation for a gradual easing of restrictions, based on informed choice and personal responsibility.

To that end, the government has issued further guidance for employers and businesses.

Guidance for employers and businesses.

Employers will still have a legal duty to manage risks to those affected by their business.

This means carrying out health and safety risk assessments, including the risk of COVID-19, and to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risks identified.

New Working Safely guidance for various industries sets out a range of mitigations employers should consider including:

• cleaning surfaces that people touch regularly;
• identifying poorly-ventilated areas in the venue and taking steps to improve air flow;
• ensuring that staff and customers who are unwell do not attend the workplace or venue;
• communicating to staff and customers the measures you have put in place.

There is different guidance for schools, hotels, offices, factories, restaurants, shops, etc within this guidance. 

Step 4

The vaccination programme will continue and all adults will be offered two doses by mid-September, and there may be a booster programme in September.

Step 4 means the majority of legal restrictions will be removed and people will be expected to protect themselves and others through informed choice.

The government expects and recommends that face coverings are worn in crowded and enclosed spaces, such as public transport, when mixing with people you don’t normally meet.

While the government is no longer instructing people to work from home, a return to the workplace should be gradual and businesses should follow the published guidance.

Organisations and large events will be supported and encouraged to use the NHS COVID Pass in high-risk settings to help limit the risk of infection in their venues.

Positive cases and contacts of positive cases identified by NHS Test and Trace will still be legally required to self-isolate, to help break chains of transmission.

There will be an isolation exemption for contacts of positive cases for under 18s and for double vaccinated adults from 16 August.

School bubbles will end from 19 July.

Quarantine rules will remain for all those travelling from a red list country, and for amber list countries unless double vaccinated.

All data will be kept under review, and contingency measures will be retained to manage periods of higher risk, such as winter. Guidance will be strengthened if needed, but restrictions will be avoided if possible due to their significant economic, social and health costs.

The government will review the current guidance in September.

Changes on 19 July

Social distancing

• No limits on how many people can meet (i.e. no longer six indoors and 30 outdoors)
• One metre plus rule removed (with exceptions such as hospitals)
• Face coverings no longer a legal requirement
• No visitor limits to care homes
• Removal of work at home order.

Gatherings

• Nightclubs can reopen
• Pubs and restaurants are no longer just table service only
• No limit on people at weddings and funerals
• No limit on people attending concerts, theatres or sporting events
• No restrictions on church worship

Travel

• Removal of guidance against travelling to amber list countries
• Fully vaccinated adults will not have to quarantine for 10 days after returning from amber list countries
• Under-18s will not need to quarantine

No changes on 19 July

The following is not changing (although guidance rather than law):

• Masks in crowded places
• COVID-19 passports for nightclubs and large events
• QR codes to sit in pubs and restaurants

What is remaining in place

• NHS Test and Trace
• self-isolate for those with a positive test
• one metre rule for those self-isolating and airport passengers

Wellbeing

The NHS has published 11 useful tips on coping with the anxiety of change as the lockdown is eased.

The government has also published guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

Further information

Check out our Business after COVID-19: Transition Knowledge Hub for more guidance and advice on managing the pandemic.