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Shops can let you use changing rooms when they reopen from April 12 in England

SHOPS can let you use changing when they finally reopen from April 12 in England.

Customers will be allowed to try on clothes again - but shops will have to follow strict other rules to keep people safe.

Shops will be allowed to reopen their changing rooms from April 12
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Shops will be allowed to reopen their changing rooms from April 12Credit: Reuters
Boris Johnson has revealed this evening that shops, pubs, gyms and hairdressers will reoprn from April 12
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Boris Johnson has revealed this evening that shops, pubs, gyms and hairdressers will reoprn from April 12Credit: Sky News

Guidance released last week said that shop managers are advised to leave a gap of "several minutes" between customers and cubicles should be cleaned regularly.

It comes after Boris Johnson confirmed on Easter Monday that non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers and pubs will reopen from next Monday.

And the PM vowed to stick to his roadmap out of lockdown with Covid case rates remaining low amid the success of Britain's vaccine rollout.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson told the country: "The net result of your efforts and the vaccine rollout is I can today confirm that from Monday 12 April we will move to step two of our roadmap reopening shops, gyms, zoos, holiday camp sites, hairdressers and beer gardens, and outdoor hospitality of all kinds."

CHANGING TIMES

He added: "We set out our roadmap and we're sticking to it.

"We see nothing in the present data that makes us think we will have to deviate from that roadmap."

Previously shops have been ordered to keep their changing rooms shut, after they reopened last summer.

But retailers have been calling for change amid fears people won't return to high streets and will continue shopping online.

 

Shoppers must still wear masks in stores
Shoppers must still wear masks in stores
Retailers will have signs and posters in place to help you understand the rules
Retailers will have signs and posters in place to help you understand the rules

Stores are advised to deploy a staff member to control entry to changing areas and allow only one person at a time into a cubicle, the new advice says.

But it stops short of saving that clothes should be quarantined before being put back out on the shop floor again.

The guidance says: "The enclosed nature of fitting rooms may result in increased risk of transmission of Covid-19. They should therefore be carefully managed to reduce that risk.

"Retail businesses should update their risk assessments for each premises where fitting rooms are being used."

A Government spokeswoman said: "We have set out our road map to reopen the economy and have recently published updated safer workplace guidance having worked closely with retailers, trade unions and medical experts so that businesses can reopen in a way that is as safe as possible for workers and customers."

So far most shops haven't confirmed whether they will reopen fitting rooms when they throw open their doors again on April 12.

Non-essential businesses are finally allowed to return with customers allowed inside from this date.

Pubs and restaurants will also be allowed to finally serve hungry Brits again, the PM confirmed on Easter Monday - but only outside for now.

Boris Johnson announcement: Pubs, shops, and hairdressers WILL open on April 12 as UK takes major step out of lockdown
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