Hundreds of businesses across Herefordshire have entered their final day of trading prior to the month long lockdown that will come into place in England tomorrow.
Non-essential retail stores will close in England from this Thursday until 2 December 2020 as part of a new national lockdown introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will also be forced to close under the new rules, as well as leisure and entertainment venues, including gyms. Unlike the first national lockdown restrictions, schools, colleges and universities will stay open while construction sites and manufacturing workplaces are also allowed to continue operating.
There has been some confusion over which stores would be allowed to remain open during the lockdown. The list below gives a good indication of what will be allowed to remain open and what will be forced to close.
The following shops are expected to remain open during the lockdown:
Supermarkets
Newsagents
Off-licenses
Post Offices
Garden centres
Petrol stations
Pet shops
Pharmacies and health shops
Takeaways and food deliveries
Medical services such as dentists/opticians
Hotels, hostels and other accommodation – but only for those who have to travel for work purposes
Food banks and shelters
The following shops are expected to close during the lockdown:
Clothing shops
Footwear shops
Vehicle showrooms
Travel agents
Betting shops
Auction houses
Tailors
Tobacco shops
Vape shops
Hospitality and leisure facilities such as:
Restaurants
Bars
Pubs
Bowling alleys
Leisure centres
Water and theme parks
Gyms
Swimming pools
Golf courses and driving ranges
Dance studios
Stables and riding centres
Soft play facilities
Climbing walls and climbing centres
Theatres
Concert halls
Cinemas
Museums and galleries
Casinos
Adult gaming centres and arcades
Bingo halls
Botanical gardens
Zoos and other animal attractions
Personal care facilities such as:
Hair, beauty and nail salons
Tattoo parlours
Spas
Massage parlours
Body and skin piercing services
Tanning salons
