Zoos and Drive-In Cinemas to Open in Latest U.K. Lockdown Lift

(Bloomberg) -- Zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas are to join most English shops in being allowed to open from June 15, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries to restart the economy in time for the summer.

The government said Tuesday that non-essential shops, which have been shut since March, can reopen Monday, so long as they can apply social distancing rules. But at the same time, it abandoned a plan to let all primary schools reopen completely before the summer break in mid-July.

Johnson will announce the easing of restrictions on some outdoor attractions at the daily press conference at 5 p.m. Wednesday. It will cover attractions where people stay in their cars, as well as the outdoor sections of zoos. At least one company has already announced plans to open a temporary drive-in cinema.

Johnson is trying to balance the need to allow businesses to reopen with the need to control the spread of coronavirus, which has hit the U.K. worse than any other European country. In a series of radical moves in March, the government ordered many businesses to shut, and took on the job of paying staff. It is now supporting 11.5 million jobs, at a cost of 27 billion pounds ($34 billion) so far.

One of the big challenges remaining is how to reopen pubs, cafes and restaurants. Business Secretary Alok Sharma said Tuesday that the target date remains July 4. But many in the industry question how it will be possible to reopen while people are required to keep two meters away from each other. Some other countries use a smaller safe distance. Sharma said the government was following scientific advice and kept the distance under review.

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