Five new ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to
develop plans for how and when closed sectors can reopen
safely, following publication of the UK’s roadmap to rebuild
Britain.
Businesses and shops in indoor environments or with closer
contact between people, like pubs, hotels and non-essential
retail, will likely have a higher risk of transmission, as
is the case with many places of worship.
It is the Government’s ambition to open as many of these
other businesses and public places as possible over the
coming months, when the scientific advice provided allows
us to.
Similarly, the Government recognises this has been a
particularly challenging time for the international
aviation industry.
These taskforces will be crucial to the reopening of
Britain’s economy and each one will lead on developing new
COVID-19 secure guidelines for the reopening of public
places and businesses, where and when it is safe to do so.
The five new ministerial taskforces will look at the
following sectors:
- pubs and restaurants (Department for Business, Energy
and industrial Strategy)
- non-essential retail (including salons) (Department for
Business, Energy and industrial Strategy);
- recreation and leisure, including tourism, culture and
heritage, libraries, entertainment and sport (Department
for Culture, Media and Sport)
- places of worship, including faith, community and
public buildings (Ministry for Housing, Communities and
Local Government)
- international aviation, reflecting the unique
challenges that sector is facing (Department for Transport)
As part of this science-led approach, each taskforce will
work across Government and engage with key stakeholders in
public health, industry, trade unions and devolved
administrations to:
- ensure that COVID-19 secure guidelines are developed in
line with the phased approach and public health directions,
building on the existing guidance and providing
intelligence and sector-specific expert input
- agree and ensure alignment of all relevant sectoral
guidance
- provide key sector stakeholders direct access to
Ministers to shape the guidance.
