Boris Johnson confirms new lockdown easing in England from 17 May – employment law reaction

Although this news will not come as a significant surprise, with favourable data on the level of virus circulating in England and the number of people vaccinated continuing to increase at a substantial rate. Businesses have now been given a final confirmation that the next stage of England’s roadmap out of lockdown is to go ahead from Monday 17 May. There was confirmation that hotels, hostels and other types of accommodation will be able to open as people are now permitted to travel for leisure within Great Britain. Indoor hospitality can also re-open as planned. Indoor entertainment and visitor attractions, like galleries, theatres, cinemas and soft play centres, will also be able to re-open their doors as this stage of lockdown concludes.

Businesses have now been given the seven-day notice of re-starting their operations or operating more widely again. More staff will receive the call to return to work, and employers shouldn’t delay doing this, ensuring to stick to any notice period for recall that was agreed at the outset. Where no notice of return was agreed, as much notice as possible should be given. All Covid secure measures should be in place to protect employees from exposure to the virus; despite the lowering of overall Covid alert level across Great Britain, social distancing rules remain in place when not with friends or family.

Furlough arrangements can be concluded for some, although businesses should remember that they still have the flexibility to re-furlough staff where necessary until the end of September 2021 and furlough others for the first time, albeit with a reduction to wage funding from July.

Those remaining employers who are still unable to open, including nightclubs, can take today’s announcement as a strong indication that everything is on track for the final stage of reopening on 21 June 2021, when all enforced business closure will be lifted.

Kate Palmer, HR Advice Director at Peninsula