13 Jul 2021
The government has been urged to provide more clarity and further guidance after it confirmed that most lockdown restrictions will end in England on 19 July.
Business groups said that their members welcomed the reopening, which brings great relief.
However, as businesses begin living with and managing COVID-19 they asked the government to do more.
Claire Walker, Co-Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 'Business leaders aren't public health experts and cannot be expected to know how best to operate when confusing and sometimes contradictory advice is coming from official sources.
'Without clear guidance there?could be real uncertainty on how companies should operate from 19 July and what they should be doing to keep staff and customers safe.'??
Mike Cherry, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: 'We want all small businesses and their customers to feel safe in how they shop and operate, and this includes allowing small businesses the space to make the right decisions about their premises.
'We cannot allow removing legal guidance to create a free for all, with any voluntary guidance ignored, which is why it is vital that clarity around the new state of play is given immediately.'
Matthew Fell, Chief UK Policy Director at the Confederation of British Industry, said: 'The government can play a pivotal role in setting new norms, starting with fresh workplace guidance, encouraging the use of public transport and continuing support for workplace testing.'