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*On 22 April Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical officer, said social distancing would have to stay in place until a vaccine was available, with “highly disruptive” distancing needed to be in place for “really quite a long period of time” and until at least the end of the year.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/22/uk-will-need-social-distancing-until-at-least-end-of-year-says-whitty Mason, R. and Proctor, K., 'UK will need social distancing until at least end of year, says Whitty', The Guardian, 22 April 2020] (Retrieved 22 April 2020)</ref>
*On 10 May the government announced plans to ease lockdown restrictions in England to enable more people to go back to work, but that people should avoid public transport for social distancing reasons. At the earliest shops would not open until June and pubs and restaurants until July.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518 BBC News, 11 May 2020] (Retrieved 11 May 2020)</ref> People in England should now aim to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible, such as on public transport and in some shops.
*On 11 May the ORR published heritage railways recovery plan guidance, reminding them always to risk assess their return to service.<ref>[https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/42877/heritage-railway-recovery-plan-in-response-to-covid-19.pdfORR's heritage railways recovery plan guidance, May 2020]</ref>
*On 12 May the furlough scheme was extended until 31 October but with employers to be responsible for part of the cost from 1 August.
*On 9 June it was announced all shops could open in England from 15 June. From the same date face coverings became required while using public transport in England, but guidance remained to avoid public transport where possible.
*On 23 June relaxations were allowed on social distancing, and opening of pubs from 4 July.
*On 17 July further relaxations were announced to allow use of public transport and, effective 1 August, updated advice on going to work, and opening most remaining leisure settings, with appropriate social distancing<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53441912 'Coronavirus: Boris Johnson sets out plan for 'significant normality' by Christmas', BBC News, 17 July 2020] (Retrieved 17 July 2020)</ref>.
===Timeline of events on the SVR===
