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Boris Johnson is revealing his four steps to ease England’s blockade for different parts of society and the economy.
The prime minister hopes to be able to lift most of the rules by June 21, but this is contingent on cases, deaths and hospital admissions continuing to decline.
There will be no regional tier systems: England will be treated as one in easing the blockade.
Step one: March 8 and March 29
March 8
• All schools and universities in England will be reopened, while childcare can be resumed
• High school students will be required to wear masks initially, while staff in all schools are advised to wear masks.
• All high school and college students will be tested twice a week, at school for the first two weeks and then at home.
• All households with school-age children, members of their child care and support bubbles, and those in related occupations will be encouraged to get tested regularly.
• One person may meet another person from another household outside for recreation, not just for exercise.
• This includes meeting in private gardens and will mean that two people can meet for a picnic or sit on a bench with a coffee, but cannot play tennis or golf.
• Residents of the nursing home will be allowed one designated visitor.
March 29
• Up to six people from different households or a larger group of two households can meet outdoors, even in private gardens.
• Outdoor sports facilities can be reopened and organized outdoor sports can take place for children and adults
• From this point on, the government will drop the “Stay Home” message and instead encourage people to stay where they can.
• People will still have to work from home whenever possible and travel abroad will not be allowed apart from necessary work.
Second step: April 12
• After the Easter school holidays, non-essential retail stores, such as barber shops and hair salons, may reopen.
• Libraries, museums, zoos, theme parks and gyms can be opened, but mixing of different homes indoors is not allowed
• Outdoor hospitality can be reopened, including pubs and restaurants, with the rule of six or a larger group of two households.
• Customers will not have to buy a substantial meal to have an alcoholic beverage and there will be no curfew, but people will have to be seated when ordering and eating or drinking.
• Self-catering holidays in the UK will be allowed with your own home
• Funerals for up to 30 people, wakes for up to 15 people.
Third step: May 17
• Outdoors, most social contact rules will be removed, but gatherings of more than 30 people will be illegal.
• Indoors, the rule of six or a larger group of up to two households will be allowed
• Indoor hospitality will be allowed (pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, concert halls, children’s play areas, hotels, B & Bs, indoor exercise classes)
• Large indoor performances and sporting events with a capacity of 1,000 people will be allowed.
• Large outdoor shows and sporting events will have a maximum capacity of 4,000 people or should only be half, whichever is less
• Larger sports stadiums will be allowed 10,000 people or can only be up to a quarter full, whichever is less.
• Evidence will be used to support these opportunities.
• Weddings, wedding banquets, wakes, funerals and baptisms with 30 people will be allowed.
Step Four: June 21
• All legal limits on social contact were removed
• The government hopes to reopen nightclubs and lift restrictions on large events like festivals.
• Tests can be used as an entry condition
• Ministers hope to remove restrictions on weddings.
Still to be decided
There are some rules and issues that have not yet been agreed and will be subject to review during the easing of the lockdown.
1. The rule of the subway plus, the mandatory masks and working from home
The government hopes to conclude a review of this before step four.
2. If you can use proof of having a COVID-19 vaccine to enter mass events
The government hopes to conclude a review before step four on whether the vaccine or test certificates could be used to reopen the rest of the economy.
3. International travel
The government has said that this will not resume before May 17, following a review to be completed on April 12.
4. Important events
The government has said that the tests could be used to ensure that people can safely attend large events.
Follow the live coverage as the Prime Minister addresses the House of Commons and leads a press conference in Downing Street later at 7pm
