UK govt unveils full list of shops allowed to re-open in Covid easing

The British government on Tuesday revealed the full list of retailers that can reopen under new coronavirus lockdown easing guidelines, with fashion and betting shops set to open doors on June 15.

However, there was a warning that the date could change if a fall in infections did not materialise and consumers should expect to shop in a different way.

Gift shops in museums, retail spaces in theatres, libraries, heritage sites and tourism sites will also be allowed to open – paving the way for visitors to return to tourist hotspots.

All non-essential stores were ordered to shutter their businesses on March 23 as the pandemic spread and caught the government unprepared leading to more than 42,000 “official” deaths from the virus so far and a faltering testing system.

The Office for National Statistics on Tuesday said 42,173 deaths involving Covid-19 occurred in England and Wales up to May 15. Official figures last week showed 3,546 deaths involving Covid-19 were registered in Scotland up to May 17, while for Northern Ireland the number was 664 deaths up to May 20.

Combined, the figures meant that so far 46,383 deaths have been registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, including suspected cases.

Restaurants, pubs and cafes were all forced to shut their doors, pushing them towards a multi-billion pound rescue package from the Treasury, with their future trading prospects far from guaranteed.

Only retailers considered indispensable were allowed to stay open, such as supermarkets, grocers, pharmacies and banks.

The full list that can be open from June 15 (including) those already allowed to be open, includes:

- Food retailers

– Chemists

– Hardware/homeware stores

– Fashion shops

– Charity shops

– Betting shops and arcades

– Tailors, dress fitters and fashion designers

– Car dealerships

– Auction houses

– Antique stores

– Retail art galleries

– Photography studios

– Gift shops and retail spaces in theatres, museums, libraries, heritage sites and tourism sites

– Mobile phone stores

– Indoor and outdoor markets

– Craft fairs

– Similar types of retail