Beauty salons will be able to offer eyebrow threading and facials from Saturday

Beauty salons will be able to carry out face treatments such as eyebrow threading and facials from Saturday, the Prime Minister announced last night.

Tattoo studios, spas and barbers across England will also be able to offer all ‘close contact’ services, including eyelash treatments, under new guidance.

In addition, indoor soft play areas, theatres, bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos will be permitted to reopen from this weekend.

Downing Street also said it will resume plans to pilot a small number of sporting events in order to test the safe return of larger crowds. 

It comes after earlier concerns about an increase in people with coronavirus.

But announcing the changes, the Government said ‘the situation now appears to have levelled off’.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: ‘From Saturday, salons, spas and other close contact services across England will once again be able to offer all services in a way that is safe for workers and clients.

‘I am pleased to give these often small, independent businesses a much-needed boost as we progress with our plan to kickstart the economy to protect jobs and incomes.

‘Opening up the economy is conditional on our continued success at controlling the spread of coronavirus.

‘Therefore it remains essential businesses comply with Covid-19 secure measures to protect workers and the public.’

The plan set out in the Government’s ‘roadmap to recovery’, which was paused for two weeks due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, will now resume from Saturday in England.

The specific areas of the country where local restrictions are in place will remain in lockdown.

Indoor theatres, music and performance venues     

Indoor performance venues such as theatres will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences under updated performing arts guidance published by the Government.    

Under the new guidelines, such venues will have to operate at a reduced capacity and limit ticket sales to ensure distancing can be maintained inside.

There could also be increased delays between performances as venues will be required to undertake ‘deep cleans’ before the next audience arrives.

Those on stage will also have to keep to social distancing rules.

Live sport ‘pilot’ events to resume 

A small number of sporting events will also be piloted to test the safe return of spectators.

This is with a view to reopening competition venues for sports fans with social distancing measures in place from October 1.

The plans will begin with the final of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre on August 15 to 16, with a full pilot programme to follow.   

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called off planned pilot events with some fans in attendance during the first two weeks of August amid fears over the coronavirus infection rate.

But the government has now sanctioned the public attending a small number of sporting events, with a view to reopening competition venues for sports fans, with social distancing measures in place, from October 1.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: ‘The nation’s hard work to keep the virus under control means we can now make further careful progress on recovery with allowing audiences back for indoor performances, fans back at sports events and the reopening of more Covid-19 secure leisure businesses.

‘We must all continue to stay alert but today’s welcome news means these organisations can finally get going safely, and we can enjoy more of the things we love as a nation.

‘I have no doubt that they will work incredibly hard to keep their fans, patrons, and customers safe.’ 

Wedding receptions in ‘Covid-secure locations’     

Wedding receptions for up to 30 guests will be allowed from Saturday, but only in the form of a sit-down meal in a location that adheres to Covid-19 guidelines.

Ceremonies remain capped at no more than 30 people and should be kept ‘as short as reasonably possible’, the Government said. 

Tattoo studios, spas and barbers  

Tattoo studios, beauty salons, spas and hairdressers will all be able to offer additional services from Saturday, including front of face treatments such as eyebrow threading.

Facials, eyelash treatments and the application of make-up will be permitted alongside Botox injection and beard trimming.

Mr Sharma said allowing these services would ‘give these often small, independent businesses a much-needed boost as we progress with our plan to kickstart the economy to protect jobs and incomes.’  

However, workplaces must still remain Covid-19 secure, with regular cleaning and hand washing taking place.

Casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys and indoor play       

All these venues are also able to open their doors to customers tomorrow for the first time since the lockdown was imposed.

The Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed the move for England, but has urged Scotland and Wales to follow suit, claiming many casinos ‘are on the brink’.

Nightclubs, dance halls and sexual entertainment venues will remain closed. 

Business events and conferences 

Business events and conferences will also be allowed to resume from October 1 as long as rates of infection remain at the current levels.

These events are set to begin in a pilot capacity so bosses can work out how to best ensure social distancing, the Times reported.

Lockdown restrictions were due to be eased on August 1, but a spike in coronavirus cases at the time resulted in them being paused for two weeks.  

Mr Johnson last night warned the changes are ‘conditional’ and could be altered again should the rate of infection begin to rise. 

‘We will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required, or to continue to implement local measures to help to control the spread of the virus,’ he said.