PRIME minister Boris Johnson has delayed further easing of lockdown until August 15 in the latest government announcement.

The further easing of lockdown restrictions in England due on August 1 has been postponed for at least two weeks - Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed in yesterday's lunchtime announcement,

The following venues were set to reopen on August 1, but will now not reopen/resume until August 15 at the earliest: casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks, indoor performances, pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues and conference centres, wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted, plus the remaining close-contact services must remain closed.

Face coverings are also to be mandatory in indoor settings where people are likely to come into contact with people they do not know, such as museums and places of worship, from August 8.

Mr Johnson said: “I’ve also consistently warned that this virus could come back and that we would not hesitate to take swift and decisive action as required.

“I’m afraid that in parts of Asia and in Latin America, the virus is gathering pace and some of our European friends are also struggling to keep it under control.

“As we see these rises around the world, we can’t fool ourselves that we are exempt. We must be willing to react to the first signs of trouble.

“With those numbers creeping up, our assessment is that we should squeeze that brake pedal, in order to keep the virus under control.

“Indoor performances will not resume, pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues and conference centres will not take place, and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted.”

Beggar's Theatre in Millom was scheduled to host the first live indoor performance one second after Midnight on Saturday before the government announcement.

Jakki Moore, company director, shared the news of the closure online.

She said: "It's typical but we need to save lives. We can no longer do our live performance at one second past midnight.

"If you have tickets we will refund them.

"It would've been amazing but we will use this opportunity to get this working again and do this properly."