Thousands of pubs, restaurants and hairdressers across England have been given practical, clear steps they can take to reopen safely over the coming weeks.

New Covid-19 secure guidance for the hospitality sector and hairdressers means businesses will be able to reopen in England from 4 July, provided they meet government criteria for keeping staff and customers as safe as possible.

Working alongside over 300 key industry stakeholders and trade unions, the government has developed clear plans in line with scientific advice and public health directions, building on existing guidance published on 11 May. The new guidance sets out a range of measures for pubs and restaurants to become Covid-19 secure, including:

• requiring use of table service where possible instead of ordering at the bar and assigning a single staff member per table
• encouraging use of contactless ordering from tables where available, such as through an app
• discouraging non-essential trips by staff within venues, such as between the kitchen and front of house, by using radios and other electronic devices to communicate
• encouraging customers to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the venue
• providing clear guidance on social distancing and hygiene as people arrive on the premises, with signage and visual aids

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

We know this pandemic has been particularly hard for people working in hairdressing and hospitality. Allowing pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to open will be another step in our plan to kickstart our economic recovery in a safe manner.

The guidance we have set out provides clear, practical steps businesses can take to open in a way that is as safe as possible for workers and customers.

Separate guidance has been published for hairdressers, which states that a clear visor should be worn by the person providing the service, covering the face and providing a barrier between the wearer and the customer from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or speaking.