RUSHES: Coronavirus: Downing Street press conference July 17th

Coronavirus: Downing Street press conference July 17th; ENGLAND: London: Westminster: Downing Street: INT Boris Johnson MP (Prime Minister) statement SOT (Part 3 of 3). - It relies on our continued success in controlling the virus. And we will not proceed if doing so risks a second peak that would overwhelm the NHS. Nonetheless, it is important to give people hope and to give business confidence. So in England, from today we are making clear that anybody may use public transport, while of course encouraging people to consider alternative means of transport where they are available. From 25 July, we have already committed to reopening the indoor gyms, pools and other sports facilities. From 1 August, we will update our advice on going to work. Instead of government telling people to work from home, we are going to give employers more discretion, and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely. That could mean of course continuing to work from home, which is one way of working safely and which has worked for many employers and employees. Or it could mean making workplaces safe by following Covid Secure guidelines. Whatever employers decide, they should consult closely with their employees, and only ask people to return to their place of work if it is safe. As we reopen our society and economy, it’s right that we give employers more discretion while continuing to ensure employees are kept safe. Also from 1 August, we will reopen most remaining leisure settings, namely bowling, skating rinks and casinos, and we will enable all close contact services such as beauticians to resume. Nightclubs and soft play areas will sadly need to remain closed for now – although this will be kept under review. We will restart indoor performances to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia, with a view to wider reopening in the Autumn. We will also...