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Boris Johnson will announce a “roadmap” for easing Covid restrictions in England.
The Prime Minister will present his plans to Parliament at around 3:30 p.m. GMT on Monday afternoon before a televised press conference at 7:00 p.m.
When will the lockdown rules change in England?
In England the Prime Minister says The priority is to get the students back to school from March 8th.
There is also pressure to reopen pubs, restaurants, shops, and the tourism industry, but the government says it will “guided by data, not data”.
Unlocking is gradual.
- Schools open with after-school sports and outdoor activities
- Two people from different households are allowed to meet in public space to socialize, for example to have a picnic, as long as they distance themselves socially
- Every UK-based nursing home is supposed to have a regular visitor to hold hands with
- Outdoor gatherings of six people or two households are permitted. This includes gatherings in private gardens
- It is understood that people will be able to leave their areas although overnight stays are not permitted
- Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis courts will be reopened
- Organized amateur sport can be resumed
What are the Four Restriction Relaxation Tests?
According to Laura Kuenssberg, the BBC’s political editor, the gap between each phase of the easing of restrictions is expected to be five weeks.
In each phase, four conditions must be met before proceeding to the next:
- The coronavirus vaccination program is still going according to plan
- Vaccines sufficiently reduce the number of people who die from the virus or have to be hospitalized
- Infection rates do not risk an increase in hospital admissions
- New coronavirus variants do not fundamentally change the risk of waiver restrictions
What are England’s ban rules now?
People need to stay home and only go out when they have “a reasonable excuse”.
You are not allowed to meet people socially unless you live together or form one Support bladder.
Anyone violating these rules can face fines, including a £ 800 fine for attending house parties for 15+ people – and a £ 10,000 fine for the organizers.
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What is a “reasonable excuse” for leaving the house?
Reasonable excuses are Grocery shopping, meeting your support or childcare bubble, or working where it is unreasonable to work from home.
You can exercise with someone from another household in an open public space.
Travel – international or in the UK – is only allowed if strictly necessary.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise, or important reasons. You shouldn’t take part in work.
Pubs, restaurants, and non-essential shops are closed, as are sports facilities such as gyms and tennis courts.
Important businesses and services can remain open – including supermarkets, petrol stations, medical and dental practices and veterinarians.
Read England’s official guide.
When will the lockdown rules change in Wales?
First Secretary Mark Drakeford has announced a minor easing of restrictions, including the resumption of weddings and civil ceremonies on March 1st. He hopes the stay home requirement can end within three weeks.
Children aged three to seven years Return on February 22ndwith the hope that older elementary school classes – and secondary school students preparing for exams – will return on Monday March 15th.
What are the rules in Wales?
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Wales is under a national lockdown at Alert four.
- You must stay home and not travel except for very limited purposes
- Groups of up to four people from two different households can meet to exercise outdoors
- Other than that, you are not allowed to hit any other households unless they are in your support bubble
- Weddings and civil ceremonies may resume from the last week of February
- Entertainment venues, visitor attractions and sports and leisure facilities as well as pubs, bars and cafes closed (except for take-away and delivery)
- Barbers, nail salons, and non-essential stores are also closed, but the government says it can be checked on March 15.
Read The Official Guide of Wales.
When will the lockdown rules change in Scotland?
In Scotland, the government is hoping to publish an out-of-lock route in the coming week. But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned against booking Easter holidays at home and abroad.
Elementary school children P1-P3 years and older students who need to complete practical assignments will return on February 22nd.
What are the restrictions in Scotland?
Scotland has its own restriction levels – from zero to four.
Mainland Scotland, the Isle of Skye and the Western Isles are in “extended level four”.
- Do not leave home except for essential reasons such as grocery shopping, care, or exercise
- Do not travel outside of your own territory unless travel is essential
- Two people from up to two households can meet outdoors (children under 11 are not included in the limit).
- Pubs, restaurants, leisure and entertainment venues and places of worship are closed (except for weddings and funeral services).
- Customers must collect outdoor food stalls and are not allowed to drink alcohol outdoors in public
Other island communities remain under Level three restrictions. These are very high, if a little less strict than level four.
- Pubs and restaurants are open until 6:00 p.m., but no alcohol
- Use of the indoor fitness room is restricted to individuals
- Barbers and hairdressers can open
Read Scotland’s Official Guide.
When will the lockdown rules in Northern Ireland change?
Northern Ireland extended its lockdown to April 1st and reviewed the current measures on March 18th.
Primary school children in years 1 through 3 return on March 8 and secondary school children in years 12 through 14 return on March 22
What are the rules in Northern Ireland?
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The current rules include:
- Individuals can exercise with someone from another household
- Closed non-essential stores, including garden centers and housewares stores
- Hairdressing and beauty salons as well as leisure and entertainment facilities closed; Churches closed for worship
- Hotels and restaurants only open for take-away and delivery; Off licenses closed until 8:00 p.m.
- Weddings, civil weddings and funerals are limited to 25 people – wedding receptions are not permitted
- Top sport allowed behind closed doors
Read Northern Ireland’s Official Guide.
