The UK government has confirmed that non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen from Monday (15 June).
Speaking at today's daily coronavirus briefing, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Alok Sharma said the R-rate was 'under control' and the country continued to meet its 'five tests'.
This means that a number of high streets retailers, such as betting shops and phone shops, will be able to kick-start their business after months of lockdown.
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Hairdressers, nail salons and pubs will remain closed, and are currently set to reopen from 4 July.
Mr Sharma warned that the 'phased' reopening will only be allowed for those businesses that are able to implement strict safety measures to protect customers and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
He said: "Shops should reopen once they are able to follow Covid-secure guidelines.
"What we are doing is opening up the economy in a phased manner. The last thing we want... the worst possible thing is that we have a second peak and lose the gains we have so far which would set back the business community and we don't want that to happen."
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This comes as the Department of Health and Social care confirmed that a further 286 people in the UK had tragically died after testing positive for the deadly disease, bringing the total number of deaths to 40,883.
The full list of shops set to reopen next week includes:
- food retailers
- chemists
- hardware/homeware stores
- fashion shops
- charity shops
- betting shops and arcades
- tailors, dress fitters and fashion designers
- auction houses
- antique stores
- retail art galleries
- photography studios
- gift shops and retail spaces in theatres, museums, libraries, heritage sites and tourism sites
- mobile phone stores
- indoor markets
- craft fairs
- similar types of retail
Outdoor markets and car showrooms were allowed to reopen on 1 June.
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Today's briefing confirms what had been announced last month by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Speaking during a previous update, Mr Johnson said new guidance was being published to help the retail sector get up to speed, 'detailing the measures they should take to meet the necessary social distancing and hygiene standards'.
He said: "We know that the transmission of the virus is lower outdoors and that it is easier to follow Covid-secure guidelines in open spaces.
"That means we can also allow outdoor markets to reopen in a safe way that does not risk causing a second wave of the virus.
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"Shops now have the time to implement this guidance before they reopen, this will ensure there can be no doubt about what steps they should take."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Coronavirus