Car showrooms will be able to reopen on 1 June placing them in the second stage of the Prime Minister’s plan to restart the economy. This is the news according to the Government’s latest guidance issued 11 May.

Reopening on 1 June places car dealerships in the same group as shops, as set out by PM Boris Johnson. However, the 1 June date depends on no increase in the coronavirus outbreak before that point.

The document states: “To aid planning, the Government’s current aim is that the second step will be made no earlier than Monday 1 June, subject to these conditions being satisfied. Until that time the restrictions currently in place around the activities below will continue.

“The current planning assumption for England is that the second step may include as many of the following measures as possible, consistent with the five tests. Organisations should prepare accordingly.

“Opening non-essential retail when and where it is safe to do so, and subject to those retailers being able to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines. The intention is for this to happen in phases from 1 June; the Government will issue further guidance shortly on the approach that will be taken to phasing, including which businesses will be covered in each phase and the timeframes involved.”

The Government’s new strategy document also hinted localised restrictions could be used to control the spread of the virus: “There may be circumstances where different measures will be lifted at different times depending on the variance in rate of transmission across the UK.”

DOWNLOAD the Government reopening guidance for retailers here.