Coronavirus: Councils to get powers to shut down businesses and cancel events, says Boris Johnson

Swift local lockdowns – including the shutting down of businesses, cancellation of events and restrictions on travel to certain areas – will aim to control future COVID-19 outbreaks.

Boris Johnson outlined the plan to contain localised flare-ups in COVID-19 infections as he expressed his hope of a “more significant return to normality” by Christmas.

As well as handing new powers to local councils and government ministers to act on future coronavirus outbreaks, the prime minister also set out an updated roadmap for lifting remaining national restrictions in England.

This includes:

• the reopening of bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, casinos and close contact beauty treatments from 1 August
• the restarting of indoor performances, subject to the success of trials
• the piloting of larger gatherings in venues like sports stadiums, with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn
• and the permitting of wedding receptions for up to 30 people.

Speaking at a Downing Street news conference, the prime minister also announced that from 1 August there would be updated government advice on people going to work.

“Instead of government telling people to work from home, we are going to give employers more discretion, and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely,” he said.

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