Zoos and drive-in cinemas can open today: Everything you need to know

More restrictions are easing next week

London Zoo has struggled during lockdown (Getty Images)

As England continues along its roadmap to reopening after lockdown, further restrictions are being eased today.

From Monday 15 June all non-essential shops can reopen in England, and certain outdoor attractions - including zoos, safari parks, and drive-in cinemas - can also welcome visitors.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When are zoos reopening?

Zoos can reopen from Monday 15 June, albeit with social distancing measures in place and potentially limited entry.

Zoos are being instructed to keep indoor exhibitions shut, including reptile houses.

On-site cafes must offer a take-away only service.

What other outdoor attractions are reopening?

Safari parks are also eligible to reopen, as visitors stay in their cars while there, and drive-in cinemas are also expected to be given the green light.

However, aquariums have not been given the go-ahead, as they are largely indoors.

Why are some outdoor attractions being allowed to reopen?

A Downing Street official said: “People are continuing to make huge sacrifices to reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid a second spike, but we know it is tough and where we can safely open up more attractions, and it is supported by the science, we will do so.

”This is by necessity a careful process, but we hope the reopening of safari parks and zoos will help provide families with more options to spend time outdoors while supporting the industry caring for these incredible animals.“

The science so far suggests that the risk of spreading the disease is lower outside, hence the decision to reopen certain outdoor attractions. In the case of attractions where visitors remain in their cars throughout, the risk of infection is even lower.

How have zoos coped during lockdown?

Along with other UK businesses, zoos have struggled to make ends meet while they’ve been closed during the pandemic.

Chester Zoo has said its future is ”on a knife edge“, while London Zoo has claimed it is looking at an “uncertain future” without financial help.

The government says it has provided £14m in funding to help zoos stay afloat under lockdown.

Cerian Tatchley, senior manager of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said zoos were “itching” to reopen.

“As a sector we are not out of the woods yet,” he added. “All of our members have taken a huge financial hit, with some having to restructure and even implement job losses.

“We will continue to push for financial aid for zoos, safari parks and aquariums because we know we are stronger as a community.”

What else reopens from Monday?

Various non-essential shops can open from 15 June as long as they comply with government guidelines.

Among the retailers allowed to reopen are book shops, clothes shops, shoe shops, indoor markets, department stores, electrical goods shops, auction houses and toy shops.

New measures will include plastic screens at tills to protect sales assistants, hand sanitiser dispensers at shop entrances and limits on the number of people inside at any one time.

Shop surfaces will have to be regularly cleaned and any products that are returned, or clothes that have been tried on, will have to undergo a 72-hour quarantine before they can be put back on the shop floor. Objects that are touched a lot, such as sofas and beds, will have protective coverings.

Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, confirmed that shops can reopen from Monday, saying: “We have all got used to shopping with social distancing. Now is the right time to apply these principles more widely to more shops, as we continue our cautious reopening of the economy.”

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen from 4 July at the very earliest, according to the government.