Casinos, bowling alleys and skating rinks reopening delayed as wedding receptions not permitted

The Prime Minister said planned reopenings of certain businesses for August 1 will be postponed for a fortnight.

> West Yorkshire lockdown: new rules and guidance for Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees explainedIndoor performances will not resume, pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues and conference centres will not take place, and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted, it was announced in a press conference on Friday.

Boris Johnson told a Downing Street briefing: "With those numbers creeping up, our assessment is that we should squeeze that brake pedal... in order to keep the virus under control.

"On Saturday August 1, you'll remember we had hoped to reopen a number of the higher-risk settings that had remained closed and today I'm saying we're postponing those changes for at least a fortnight.

> Boris Johnson announces raft of coronavirus restriction changes including enforceable face mask date"That means until August 15 at the earliest casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and the remaining close-contact services must remain closed.

"Indoor performances will not resume, pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues and conference centres will not take place, and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted."

Boris Johnson added: "I know that the steps we are taking will be a real blow to many people, to everyone whose wedding plans have been disrupted or who cannot now celebrate Eid in the way that they would wish.

"And I'm really, really sorry about that but we cannot simply take the risk."

Boris Johnson said the UK cannot afford to be complacent.

He said: "We cannot be complacent and I won't stand by and allow this virus to threaten to cause more pain and more heartache in our country."

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Thank you

Laura Collins