Boris Johnson’s announcement of a second Lockdown received a mixed reaction from the business world – but left many facing a new wave of confusion and uncertainty.
So, here’s an at-a-glance guide to who stays open and who, once again, will have to close their doors.
OPEN
- Supermarkets and food stores
- Garden centres
- Other retailers providing essential goods and services
- Hotels, and other accommodation (with limitations)
- Medical services such as GPs and dentists.
- Jobcentre Plus sites
- Courts
- Civil Registrations Offices
- Playgrounds
AND . . . SHUT
- All non-essential shops such as: clothing and electronics stores, car showrooms, betting shops and travel agents)
- Tobacconists
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Pubs
- Indoor and outdoor leisure and sports facilities (gyms, golf courses, swimming pools etc)
- Theatres
- Cinemas
- Museums and galleries
- Zoos and botanical gardens
- Hair, beauty and nail salons, along with spas, massage parlours etc)
Jonathan Geldart, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said: “Controlling the virus is crucial for the economy in the long run. But make no mistake, these measures will put great strain on an already fragile business community.
“The decision to reinstate furlough is absolutely the right one, and the announcement should bring relief to many businesses. Directors will be eager for clarity on the employer contributions, as we are now returning to circumstances much like the start of the summer.
“With the return of restrictions, gaps in government support need sorted at long last. Small company directors who have gone without support throughout the crisis should be helped through local authority grants.
“It’s also now clear that the Government made a mistake ending its suspension of wrongful trading rules. This gave directors much needed breathing space to protect businesses and jobs during the summer. To help to prevent a flood of insolvencies, it must be reinstated straight away.
“When we emerge from these restrictions, directors will want to see the Test and Trace system firing on all cylinders.”
