The government has given the green light for ice rinks to reopen in England from this Saturday 15th August 2020.

Rinks were closed in mid-March closed when the country went into lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But in a news release this evening, the government announced: “The plan set out in the roadmap to recovery – which was paused for two weeks – will resume from Saturday 15th August in England, except for specific areas where local restrictions are in place.

“Indoor play and indoor soft play, bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos will be permitted to reopen.”

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: “Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus, but we must remain focused and we cannot be complacent. That is why we are strengthening the enforcement powers available to use against those who repeatedly flout the rules.

“At every stage I have said our plan to reopen society and the economy is conditional and that it relies on continued progress against the virus.

“Today, we are able to announce some further changes which will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed. However, as I have always said, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required, or to continue to implement local measures to help to control the spread of the virus.”

Click here to read the full announcement on the gov.uk website.