PM Boris Johnson announced on Monday 22 February 2021, the easing of lockdown across England will be based on a four-step roadmap.
The roadmap has now been published on gov.uk and outlines the four steps to easing the restrictions. Mr Johnson has clearly stated the decision on each stage will be assessed on data and not dates starting with the schools reopening on 8 March.
Before proceeding to each step, the government has confirmed they will examine the data to assess the impact of previous steps and will be based on the following four tests:
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
- Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern
There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step: four weeks for the data to reflect changes in restrictions; followed by seven days’ notice of the restrictions to be eased.
Step 1 – 8 March
- All children and students are to return to face to face education in schools or colleges
- Wraparound childcare and other supervised children’s activities can 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
As part of step one from 29 March, outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households will be allowed. 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.
You should continue to work from home where possible, and overseas travel remains banned, aside for a small number of reasons.
Step 2, no earlier than 12 April:
- Non-essential retail, personal care premises, such as hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, such as libraries and community centres, will 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 6)
Step 3, 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 6 or 2 households will apply – although we will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this
- 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 4000 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 4, no earlier than 21 June:
- It is hoped all legal limits on social contact can be removed
- We hope to reopen nightclubs, and lift restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step 3
- This will also guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events
For further information please visit https://bit.ly/2NpK1hG
