Government announces extension of temporary freedoms amid coronavirus (COVID-19)

Article summary

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has announced that the government has extended the temporary freedom for pubs, restaurants and cafes to provide food takeaways by another year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition, the government has also extended the July 2020 rules on making it easier for businesses and communities to host markets and stalls for another year until December 2021. Such rules included doubling the time limits on the existing right for temporary use of land for a market from 14 days to 28 days. Finally, the department has revealed new protections for cultural venues, an extension of powers for councils and health service bodies enabling emergency development, which allows for buildings such as Nightingale hospitals, until 31 December 2021, and space standards introduced for new homes built through permitted development.