Easing of lockdown restrictions

The Prime Minister made an announcement yesterday (Monday 22 February) about the easing of the current lockdown restrictions.

Step one of the changes is due to come into force from Monday 8 March.

On this date, all children are expected to return to face-to-face education in schools.  Wraparound childcare and other supervised children’s activities can also resume where they enable parents to work, seek work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group

Care home residents will be allowed one regular visitor provided they are tested and wear PPE.

The Stay at Home requirement will remain, but people can leave home for recreation outdoors such as a coffee or picnic with their household or support bubble, or with one person outside their household.

Some university students on practical courses will be able to return to face -to-face learning.

From Monday 29 March, outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed, providing greater flexibility for families to see each other. This includes in private gardens.

Outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, will be allowed to reopen, and people can take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

At this point, the Stay at Home order will end, although many lockdown restrictions will remain.

For example, you should continue to work from home where possible, and overseas travel remains banned, aside for a small number of reasons.

Step two, no earlier than 12 April:

• Non-essential retail, personal care businesses, such as hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, such as libraries and community centres, can reopen.
• Most outdoor attractions and settings, including zoos, and theme parks, will also reopen although wider social contact rules will apply in these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households. Drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances will also be permitted.
• Indoor leisure facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, will also reopen - but only for use by people on their own or with their household.
• Hospitality venues can serve people outdoors only. There will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcohol, and no curfew - although customers must order, eat and drink while seated.
• Self-contained accommodation, such as holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
• Funerals can continue with up to 30 people, and the numbers able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15 (from six).

Step three, no earlier than 17 May:

• Outdoors, most social contact rules will be lifted - although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal.
• Outdoor performances such as outdoor cinemas, outdoor theatres and outdoor cinemas can reopen. Indoors, the rule of six or two households will apply - although this will be kept under review.
• Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will also reopen.
• Larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower) will also be allowed, as will those in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower).
• In the largest outdoor seated venues where crowds can spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).
• Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. Other life events that will be permitted include bar mitzvahs and christenings.

Step four, no earlier than 21 June:

• It is hoped all legal limits on social contact can be removed.
• It is hoped that nightclubs can reopen and restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step three will be lifted.
• This will also guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.

23 February 2021