The government has published the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England. 

Step One (March 8th and 29th)

By the time Step 1 begins, those aged 70 and over and the clinically extremely vulnerable (JCVI cohorts 1 to 4) will have received protection from their first dose of the vaccine (three weeks after 15th February – the date by which they were all offered a first dose of the vaccine).

March 8th (Stay at Home remains in place)

• Schools and colleges are open for all students.
• Students on practical Higher Education Courses to return.
• Outdoor after school sports and activities to resume.
• Wraparound childcare to resume.
• One-on-one recreation in public spaces, such as parks, to be permitted. No household mixing indoors.
• Care Home residents can nominate a named visitor who will be able to visit them indoors and hold their hand, subject to tests and PPE.

March 29th (Minimise Travel – No holidays) -  CURRENT GUIDELINES

• More outdoor social contact: Rule of Six or two households outdoors, either in a public place or private garden. No indoor mixing.
• Outdoor sports and leisure facilities, eg tennis courts, basketball courts and golf courses, will reopen.
• Organised adult and children’s sport, such as grassroots football, can also return, subject to guidance.
• Outdoor parent & child groups (up to 15 parents).
• No longer legally required to Stay At Home: Still work from home and minimise travel where possible.
• Funerals continue to be able to proceed with up to 30 people and wakes with 6 (not in private homes) Weddings will still be able to proceed with 6 attendees only but will no longer be limited to exceptional circumstances.

Step 2: No earlier than 12th April:

• Nonessential retail and personal care (inc. hair dressers and nail salons) to open.
• Indoor leisure open for use individually or within household groups (inc gyms).
• Holiday lets (self-contained accommodation), only used by individuals or household groups to open and domestic over night stays will be allowed (households only)
• Pubs/restaurants open outdoors: No curfew or requirement of a substantial meal. Requirement for table service will remain.
• A decision will be taken on whether to allow two named visitors to care homes.
• Outdoor attractions such as Zoos, theme parks and drive in cinemas to open
• Public libraries and community centres to reopen.
• Driving tests to resume.
• Weddings, receptions, and commemorative events including wakes will be able to take place with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open.
• Beginning of Event Pilots.

Step 3: No earlier than 17th May – Most restrictions on outdoor activities lifted

• Rule of 6, or two households, to be allowed to meet indoors (subject to review).
• Outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people allowed
• Organised indoor adult sport to resume.
• Remaining outdoor entertainment (theatres and cinemas) and remaining accommodation (hotels) to reopen and resume.
• Some large events with capacity limits: Indoor events 1,000 or 50 per cent; Outdoor other events 4,000 or 50 per cent; seated outdoor events 10,000 or 25 per cent
• International Travel (Subject to Review)
• Indoor hospitality, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcoholic drinks, and no curfew. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) will remain.
• Broader range of life events will be permitted, including bar mitzvahs and christenings – up to 30 attendees
• As soon as possible and no later than Step 3, the Government will update its advice on social distancing between friends and family, including hugging.

Step 4: No earlier than 21st June

• No legal limits on social contact.
• Remaining sectors to reopen, including nightclubs.
• No legal limits on life events.
• Larger Events to resume.