Coronavirus restrictions will ease further in England under plans for a "significant return to normality" by Christmas, Boris Johnson has announced. Under the new guidelines, people may use public transport for journeys immediately, while advice for employers will change from 1 August. Companies will have more discretion to bring staff back to workplaces if it is safe to do so, the PM explained. Business groups warned any mass return to work immediately is unlikely.
Smaller companies in particular will need more support to get workers back, Mike Cherry from the Federation of Small Businesses warned. "Small firms are being tasked with consulting employees and putting the right measures in place to ensure a safe return to work," he said. "After weeks of little or no income, they will need help - both funding and advice - to make that happen”. Edwin Morgan, director of policy at the Institute of Directors, said child care and concerns about using public transport are still issues for many employees.
Read more: BBC News