Lockdown easing continues with new measures tomorrow

From tomorrow, the following rules will be in force:

• The rule of six applies, with up to six people or one other household meeting outside, including in private gardens.
• The stay at home rules ends, but people are urged to stay local as much as possible.
• Outdoor sports and leisure facilities re-open and organised outdoor sports can once again be held.

The new measures are the second part of the first step in the roadmap out of the crisis, with restrictions gradually being eased.

Lockdown easing

The first step introduced on March 8 saw schools and colleges allowing all students to return; people permitted to exercise and enjoy recreation in outdoor public spaces with our own household or one other person; and up to 30 people can now attend funerals, although wakes and weddings are limited to six people, while care home residents can have one nominated visitor.

The Government is much more cautious over the next stages as it wants to avoid another lockdown.

The following three stages will only be introduced if the vaccination programme has been deemed successful in cutting the rate of infection, hospitalisations and deaths.

But if everything goes to plans, we should be back to something approaching normality by June 21.

STAGE 2 - (no earlier than April 12):

• All shops allowed to open, including hair and beauty salons, which will also be permitted in people's homes.
• Customers allowed to eat and drink outdoors at pubs and restaurants.
• Gyms and spas to re-open, along with zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.
• People in the same household can holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation.
• Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings.

STAGE 3 - (no earlier than May 17):

• People able to meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors.
• Six people or two households can meet indoors.
• Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors.
• Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events such as christenings.
• Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open.
• Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children's play areas can open.
• Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers.
• Hotels, hostels and bed and breakfast businesses can reopen.
• International leisure travel may resume.
• Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart.

STAGE 4 - (no earlier than June 21):

• All limits on social contact will be removed
• No limit on how many people can attend weddings, funerals and other life events
• Nightclubs allowed to reopen.