Coronavirus: The full government guidance on what businesses and premises should close

Watched by more than 20 million people, he outlined strict new guidance and ordered people to stay at home where they could to help protect the NHS and save lives. The public was told to leave their homes only when ‘absolutely necessary’.

As a result, new government guidance has been published ordering certain sectors to close their doors immediately to the public.

Retail and public premises which will stay open have to ensure a distance of two metres between customers and shop assistants and only let people enter the shop in small groups to ensure it is not crowded. Queue control is required outside of shops and other essential premises that remain open.

Here is the comprehensive list, published by the government last night (March 23), which outlines which businesses and premises most close, and what the exceptions to this are:

FOOD AND DRINK

All restaurants, cafes (including work canteens), pubs, bars, nightclubs, members’ clubs and hotel bars must close. The only exceptions are that food delivery and takeaway can remain open to deliver. Cafes and canteens can remain open only if they are based at hospitals, care homes, schools, prisons, military bases or are providing food and drink to the homeless.

RETAIL

All premises must shut, however the government has provided a list of some exceptions. These include supermarkets and other food shops, health shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, bicycle shops, home and hardware shops, laundrettes, dry cleaners, garages, car rentals, pet shops, corner shops, newsagents, post offices and banks.

Other areas in retail ordered to close include hair, beauty and nail salons; piercing and tattoo parlours; massage parlours; auction houses; car showrooms; outdoor and indoor markets (the government lists as an exception market stalls which offer essential retail, such as grocery and food).

HOTELS

All hotels, hostels, B&Bs, campsites and boarding houses are to close for commercial use. Where people live in these as interim homes whilst their primary residence is unavailable they may continue to do so. Key workers can continue to stay in hotels or similar where required.

Caravan parks and sites for commercial uses are also to close. The government says: “Where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so.”

LEISURE AND HEALTH

The following have been ordered to close: museums, galleries, bingo halls, casinos, betting shops, spas, skating rinks, fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools, indoor leisure centres, arcades, bowling alleys and soft play centres. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls are also to close.

INSTITUTIONS

Community centres and youth centres will close, but can remain open if they are hosting ‘essential voluntary or public services’ such as food banks or homeless services. Libraries have been ordered to shut completely.

Places of worship should close unless open for solitary prayer, but live streaming of a service without an audience is allowed. Funerals can take place if social distancing is observed.

OUTDOORS

Some parks are remaining open to allow people to exercise alone once a day. However some local authorities such as Daventry District Council and Northamptonshire County Council have already ordered the closure of their parks. Enclosed spaces in parks that remain open, including playgrounds, sports courts and pitches, and outdoor gyms will not be allowed to be used.

The full government advice can be read here.