Today in the House of Commons the Prime Minister set out the following roadmap to take us out of lockdown. This is all dependent on the data and the Government will be guided by the science and the numbers.
Step One - Monday 8th March
All children return to school, with twice-weekly testing of secondary and further education students
Students on practical uni courses, or requiring specialist teaching or on-site assessment return
You can meet one person from outside their household for outdoor recreation (picnics, coffees etc)
Care home residents can nominate a named visitor to see them regularly, with regular testing
Monday 29th March
You meet up to six people outdoors, including private gardens, or meet with two households
Outdoor sports facilities like tennis courts will reopen
You will no longer be legally required to stay at home
Step Two - No earlier than 12th April (if data allows)
Non-essential retail reopens, including personal care like hairdressers and nail salons
Indoor leisure facilities like gyms can reopen
Self-catering holiday accomodation will reopen for individuals or households
Pubs and restaurants will reopen to serve outside, with no curfew or requirement for a substantial meal
Libraries and community centres will reopen
Weddings and receptions can have up to 15 attendees
Funerals can have up to 30 attendees
This is the earliest time most uni students will know about a resumption of face-to-face teaching
Step Three - no earlier than 17th May (if data allows)
You can meet up to 30 people outdoors
You can meet up to six people indoors, up to the rule of six or two households
Pubs and restaurants and other similar venues like play centres will reopen indoors. In pubs and restaurants, customers will be required to order, eat and drink while seated
Hotels and B&Bs will reopen
Theatres, concert halls, and stadiums will reopen subject to capacity limits
Weddings can have up to 30 attendees
Step Four - no earlier than 21st June and subject to a review of social distancing and other long-term measures that have been put in place to cut transmission
All legal limits on social contacts will be removed
Reopening remaining premises, including nightclubs, and easing limits on large events and performances
You can read the full plan on gov.uk here.
Commenting on the plan, Jack Lopresti MP said:
We have a clear path through the pandemic. It's important we all keep sticking to the rules, getting tested where needed and taking the vaccine when offered, so we can get out of this pandemic and back to something more like normal life.
