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.