Guidance Closing certain businesses and venues in England
Businesses and venues that must remain closed to members of the public
To reduce social contact, the government has required by law the businesses
and venues in the left-hand column to close to members of the public. Legal
exceptions, and guidance on their scope, are set out in the right-hand column.
When using or operating any exemptions to closures listed below, you should
follow relevant social distancing guidance.
Food and drink
Restaurants and public houses, wine bars or other food and drink
establishments including within hotels and members’ clubs, such as dining
rooms
Exceptions
Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational. This can be a new activity
supported by the new permitted development rights in England. This covers the
provision of hot or cold food that has been prepared for consumers for
collection or delivery to be consumed, reheated or cooked by consumers off the
premises. Room service in hotels and accommodation.
Food and drink
Cafés and canteens
Exceptions
Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational (and as above). Cafés and
canteens at hospitals, police and fire services’ places of work, care homes or
schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the
homeless may remain open. Where there are no practical alternatives, other
workplace canteens can remain open to provide food for their staff. For
example, this could include canteens at police or fire services’ places of
work. However, where possible, the government advises that staff should be
encouraged to bring their own food, and distributors can move to takeaway.
Employers are encouraged to take measures to minimise the number of people in
the canteen, for example by using a rota.
Retail
Hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail salons, including piercing and tattoo
parlours
Exceptions
Retail
All retail, other than those exempt, must close their premises to members of
the public. However, staff may be present to make deliveries or provide
services in response to orders such as those through telephone, online, or
mail. Click and collect services can also operate, though customers must not
enter premises listed in the left-hand column.
Exceptions
• Food retailers, including supermarkets • Dental services, opticians,
audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or
health services (including physiotherapy and podiatry services), and services
relating to mental health 1 • Pharmacies and chemists, including non-
dispensing pharmacies • Petrol stations • Bicycle shops • Homeware, building
supplies and hardware stores, including where those stores supply equipment
for hire • Garden centres and plant nurseries • Veterinary surgeries and pet
shops • Agricultural supplies shops • Convenience stores, corner shops and
newsagents • Off-licences and licensed shops selling alcohol, including those
within breweries • Laundrettes and dry cleaners • Post offices • Taxi or
vehicle hire businesses • Car repair and MOT services • Car parks • Banks,
building societies, short-term loan providers, credit unions, savings clubs,
cash points, currency exchange offices, businesses for the transmission of
money, and businesses which cash cheques. • Storage and distribution
facilities, including delivery drop off or collection points where they are on
the premises of any of the above businesses • Public toilets • Shopping
centres may stay open but only units of the types listed above may trade
Retail
Car showrooms
Exceptions
Retail
Outdoor markets
Exceptions
Livestock markets and stalls selling food
Retail
Auction houses
Exceptions
Livestock auctions
Accommodation
Holiday accommodation including hotels, hostels, B&Bs;, holiday rentals,
campsites and boarding houses
Exceptions
Where people live in these as interim abodes whilst their primary residence is
unavailable, or they live in them permanently, they may continue to do so.
Non-UK residents who are unable to travel to their country of residence during
this period can continue to stay in hotels or similar where required. Hotels
and other accommodation listed can be provided to any person who is unable to
return to their main residence, and to non-UK residents unable to travel.
Hotels and other accommodation listed can provide services to any critical
worker that is part of the effort to deal with coronavirus, if the stay is
necessary for their work. The list of critical workers was published by the
Cabinet Office and Department for Education on 19 March 2020. People who are
unable to move into a new home due to the current restrictions can also stay
at hotels. Where hotels, hostels, and B&Bs; are providing rooms to support
homeless and other vulnerable people such as those who cannot safely stay in
their home, through arrangements with local authorities and other public
bodies, they may remain open. Those attending a funeral will be able to use
hotels when returning home would be impractical. Hotels and other
accommodation listed are allowed to host blood donation sessions.
Accommodation
Caravan parks/sites for commercial uses
Exceptions
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. Caravan parks also have the same exemptions as hotels and
other forms of accommodation listed above.
Non-residential institutions
Libraries
Exceptions
Digital library services and those where orders are taken electronically, by
telephone or by post (for example no-contact Home Library Services) may
continue.
Non-residential institutions
Community centres
Exceptions
Community centres can open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary
activities and urgent public services, such as food banks, homeless services.
A community centre can open temporarily to host a blood donation session for
these services only. The government strongly advises that Public Health
England guidelines are followed.
Non-residential institutions
Places of worship
Exceptions
Funerals may be held but attendees must follow the restrictions as per
Regulation 6(1)(g), and it is advised that funerals be conducted in line with
guidance from Public Health England. Burial grounds and cemeteries can remain
open. Grounds surrounding crematoria may also remain open, including gardens
of remembrance. Providers of funeral services, such as funeral directors and
funeral homes, may remain open. A minister of religion or worship leader may
leave their home to travel to their place of worship. A place of worship may
broadcast an act of worship, whether over the internet or otherwise. A place
of worship can remain open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary
activities and urgent public services, such as food banks, homeless services,
and blood donation sessions.
Assembly and leisure
Museums and galleries
Exceptions
Assembly and leisure
Nightclubs
Exceptions
Assembly and leisure
Cinemas, theatres and concert halls
Exceptions
Assembly and leisure
Bingo halls, casinos and betting shops
Exceptions
Assembly and leisure
Spas and massage parlours
Exceptions
Assembly and leisure
Skating rinks
Exceptions
Assembly and leisure
Indoor fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres
Exceptions
Any suitable assembly or leisure premises may open for blood donation
sessions.
Assembly and leisure
Indoor arcades, bowling alleys, soft play centres and similar facilities
Exceptions
Assembly and leisure
Funfairs
Exceptions
Outdoor recreation
Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and outdoor swimming pools
Exceptions
Outdoor sports courts, including public and private outdoor enclosed areas
such as tennis courts, golf courses, basketball courts, bowling greens and
football pitches, can open. The government strongly advises that social
distancing guidance is followed when using these facilities. Bars and
clubhouses at outdoor sports facilities must remain closed other than for
takeaway to be consumed off site. Parks, open countryside, beaches and
waterways can remain open. See further government guidance on access to green
spaces and outdoor recreation.
Local authorities are also urged to open waste and recycling centres. The
Coronavirus Restriction
Regulations have been
updated to make clear that people can leave their home to visit such centres.