Yahoo News Lockdown roadmap dates: Which rules change on 29 March?
Outdoor social gatherings, organised sport and weddings will be allowed from Monday 29 March as England’s roadmap out of lockdown continues.
After the first loosening of restrictions on 8 March, which saw a return to the classroom and the permitting of care home visits, people in England will be allowed to gather outdoors as “phase 2” of the first step out of lockdown begins.
Boris Johnson unveiled the staged approach to easing lockdown restrictions last month, confirming there would be three key steps taken at five-week intervals to give ministers and scientists time to judge the effects of gradually increasing the amount of household mixing.
The prime minister said at the time the government would be “cautious” in its approach, and four key tests would need to be met as restrictions are gradually relaxed across the country from next month.
As of 29 March, the rule of six will return, meaning that a maximum of any six people will be able to gather in outdoor settings for walks or picnics. A new household rule will also come into place, whereby a maximum of two households can gather, with no limit on the numbers.
Outdoor sports and leisure will also be allowed, such as outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and organised group exercise such as outdoor exercises classes and group cycles.
The “stay at home” rule will also end on 29 March, with people still encouraged to work from home and minimise travel as much as possible. Travel abroad will continue to be banned in most circumstances.
Rules for religious worship and funerals will not change but weddings will no longer be limited to just exceptional circumstances, although the rule of six still applied to attendees.
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Mr Johnson has reminded the public that the timeline is dependant on Covid infections and deaths staying down as people begin mixing in various settings after being under strict stay-home instructions since January.
What restrictions will be lifted next?
No earlier than 12 April: The hospitality industry, including pubs and restaurants, is expected to reopen outdoors with the rule of six or new two-household rule in force.
There will be no curfew or restrictions on alcohol only being served with a substantial meal, however customers must be seated.
Non-essential retail, hairdressers, barbers and nail salons, will all reopen, as will gyms, zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas, public libraries, community centres and self-contained holiday accommodation.
Funerals will be allowed to take place with a maximum of 30 people, while weddings will resume with up to 15 attendees.
No earlier than 17 May: Gatherings of up to 30 people will be permitted outdoors at this point. However, the rule of six and two-household rule will apply indoors as people are allowed to meet inside for the first time in months.
Pubs and restaurants will reopen indoors, as will cinemas, children’s play areas, hotels and B&Bs.
Some large events will be able to take place, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events.
Controlled indoor events of up to 1,000 people or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower, will be permitted, as will outdoor events with a capacity of either 50 per cent or 4,000 people, whichever is lower.
The government will also make a special provision for large, outdoor, seated venues where crowds can be safely distributed, allowing up to 10,000 people or 25 per cent of total seated capacity, whichever is lower.
Up to 30 people will be allowed to attend weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events, including wakes. A broader range of stand-alone life events will also be permitted at this step, including bar mitzvahs and christenings.
No earlier than 21 June: All legal limits on social contact will be lifted from 21 June at the earliest.
Once social-distancing is completely eased, nightclubs should be able to reopen and restrictions on events and live performances, including weddings, will finally being lifted.
What four conditions must be met?
The timetable for lifting restrictions will be subject to four tests at each stage of easing measures, including the success of the vaccination rollout, the effectiveness of the vaccination programme at reducing hospital admissions and deaths, infection rates and the impact of any new coronavirus variants.
The government will also conduct four reviews, including looking at coronavirus status certificates to allow people to prove if they have had a vaccine or negative test result, pilots of large events, international travel, and the withdrawal of social distancing measures and face masks.
Will the vaccine supply reduction affect the easing of lockdown?
The month-long “significant reduction” in the NHS’s weekly coronavirus vaccine supply could slow the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading, told The Independent the delays could mean many people are “disenfranchised” when England starts openening up again.
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