- A further lifting of lockdown rules in England has been confirmed by the prime minister.
- Having friends over and drinking inside a pub are among the changes coming next Monday, 17 May.
- Changes to lockdown rules in Scotland and Wales are expected the same day.
A recent news article published in the BBC reveals that further lifting of lockdown rules in England has been confirmed by the Prime Minister.
What’s changing on Monday 17 May in England?
Meeting up
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors, with overnight stays allowed
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions and other life events
- Number of people who can attend a funeral no longer capped, but determined by the size of venue
- Up to 30 allowed to attend a support group or parent-and-child group (not counting under fives)
- Care home residents allowed up to five named visitors, and more freedom for visits out of the home
Social distancing with close family and friends will be a matter of personal judgement. But people are asked to remain cautious around close contact, like hugging.
Social distancing will remain in place in social care, medical, retail, hospitality and business settings.
Leisure and entertainment
- Pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to open indoors
- Indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas and children’s play areas can open
- Theatres, concert halls, conference centres and sports stadiums can all reopen
- Organised adult sports and exercise classes can restart indoors
- Steam rooms and saunas may reopen
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
Education
- Face coverings no longer recommended in secondary schools for pupils
- All remaining university students eligible to return to in-person teaching
Travel
- People will be able to travel abroad to green list countries without having to quarantine when they return
What can you do from 21 June in England?
- It’s hoped all legal limits on social contact will be removed
- Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen
What can you currently do across the UK?
There are some things you can do anywhere – although exact rules may differ between nations:
- All shops and retail outlets can open
- Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can all serve food and drink outside
- Hairdressers, nail salons and other close contact services can open (appointment only in Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Gyms and swimming pools are open for individual exercise
- You can travel freely between England, Scotland and Wales (but not Northern Ireland)
- You can stay in holiday cottages with members of your own household or bubble
- Driving lessons and tests have resumed
- Communal worship is allowed
- You can socialise with people from other households outdoors (numbers vary between nations)
- Most outdoor visitor attractions are able to open
- Weddings can take place (rules on guests – and receptions – vary)
- In England, Scotland and Wales, care home residents can have regular visits from two named people (rules differ in Northern Ireland)
How are lockdown rules changing in Wales?
From Monday 17 May (subject to government approval on 13 May):
- Pubs, restaurants and cafes can open indoors
- Cinemas, theatres and museums can reopen
What’s recently changed?
- Gym exercise classes, and other organised indoor activities for adults, can resume for up to 15 people
- People can form extended households again, allowing two households to meet and have contact indoors
- Community centres can open
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Source:BBC
