Johnson Tells Britons to Behave Responsibly as Pubs Re-Open

(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Britons to act responsibly as pubs prepare to re-open and the government lifts quarantine rules on travel for 60 countries.

Restaurants, hotels, cinemas and hairdressers will also be allowed to welcome customers for the first time in more than three months on Saturday. Non-essential retailers have been allowed to open since June.

In a further easing of the lockdown brought in to contain the coronavirus, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps published a list of countries and territories that will be exempt from rules requiring arrivals to quarantine for 14 days. Those coming from the U.S., where infection rates remain high, will still need to quarantine.

“As we take this next step, our biggest step yet, on the road to recovery, I urge the British people to do so safely,” Johnson said at a televised press conference on Friday evening. “The success of these businesses, the livelihoods of those who rely on them, and ultimately the economic health of the whole country is dependent on every single one of us acting responsibly.”

The prime minister warned “we are not out of the woods yet,” saying ministers “will not hesitate in putting on the brakes and re-imposing restrictions” if the virus starts spreading again.

Johnson also promised to publish a timetable next week to help get industries including theaters, events, nail bars and indoor gyms back up and running, as well as guidelines so that cricket matches can resume next weekend.

Johnson is trying to jump-start the U.K. economy after the pandemic killed more than 43,000 people, pushing the country into what may be the worst recession in three centuries. Earlier this week, the premier accelerated 5 billion pounds ($6.2 billion) of spending, pledging to “build, build, build” in an effort to revive economic activity. Next week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is due to unveil more measures.

Sunak is focusing on preserving as many jobs as possible. His statement next week is likely to steer clear of big tax cuts and focus instead on a few targeted measures to help employment. Then, in the fall, he'll outline a wider package of fiscal stimulus.

Taxes on Wealthy

Labour Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds said Sunak must create and protect jobs as well as ensure the wealthy bear the brunt of any future tax rises. She also called on the chancellor to extend the government's furlough program -- due to end Oct. 31 -- in areas where local lockdowns are needed and in sectors of the economy that are struggling to restart.

As many as 42% of firms plan to cut jobs in the next six months, with another 31% saying redundancies are possible, according to survey released by Make U.K., a lobbying group for manufacturers.

Shapps unveiled a list of countries and territories that the government considers safe enough to waive a requirement for arrivals in England to self-isolate.

From July 10, people arriving in England from 74 countries and territories including Germany, France, Greece, Spain and Italy will no longer have to observe a two-week quarantine. Russia, Portugal and the U.S. are not on the list.

The provisions won't extend to people returning to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which will set their own rules.

The government is still wary of a resurgence in coronavirus cases, and has pledged to deploy a “whack-a-mole” strategy to quash any localized outbreaks by having more targeted lockdowns. The central English city of Leicester was placed under such provisions earlier this week.

‘Will Not Hesitate'

When the pubs re-open, the government is keen to avert scenes like those on beaches last week, when warm weather lured Britons in their thousands to the coast and social-distancing broke down. On Thursday, the Health Department published guidance for the hospitality industry to help with the government's test and trace program.

Pubs, hotels and restaurants were told to collect the names and phone numbers of clients and retain them for 21 days so that they can be contacted if anyone at the venue is later identified as suffering from the virus.

Johnson said he will be going to a pub for a beer this weekend.

“I can tell you that I will certainly buy and drink a pint,” he said. “This is a big turning point for us, we've got to get it right. Let's work together and enjoy summer safely.”

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.