English comedy venues 'back to normal' on July 19 | Boris Johnson confirms relaxation of rules

English comedy venues 'back to normal' on July 19

Boris Johnson confirms relaxation of rules

Comedy clubs in England will be able to operate without restrictions from July 19.

In a Downing Street  press conference, Boris Johnson has confirmed the much-leaked news that social distancing capacity limits, compulsory mask wearing and QR code sign-ins will no longer be required in two weeks’ time.

Customers will also be able order at the bar, not just use table service, while large-scale events will not legally require certification. Even nightclubs will be allowed to reopen.

However, some unions have called for face mask rules to remain in place to protect staff .

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UK Hospitality, said some venues might still choose to implement rules.

She said: ‘There’s going to be customers who are expecting everything to fall away and there’s going to be places that they won't be able to do that.’

But she called on councils not to get too zealous in putting in local rules that are ‘more restrictive than they need to be’.

Infections – already standing at more than 25,000 a day – are expected to rise further when rules are eased - but ministers believe deaths and the pressure on hospital will be limited by the widespread vaccination programme.

The Prime Minister said: 'If we don't go ahead now when we've clearly done so much with the vaccination programme to break the link [between infections and death] when would we go ahead?"

'We run the risk of either opening up at a very difficult time when the virus has an edge, has an advantage in the cold months, or again putting everything off to next year.'

The Scottish government plans to end most of its curbs on August 9 – just a few days after the start of the Edinburgh Fringe – but has said it may continue to require masks in certain settings.

The Prime Minister  said people must ‘learn to live’ with Covid - but did say the final relaxation would be subject to a review of the latest data on July 12. However, reversing today’s announcement is likely to come with a heavy political price.

Here's the full press conference, from the BBC: 

Published: 5 Jul 2021

Live comedy picks

We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.