Easing lockdown – Key Dates
After a much anticipation, the government has announced the guidance for easing lockdown and ending restrictions. We have set out the roadmap below of the key dates for both you and your business, from family and well-being to when your business can re-open. You can find more information here
8 March
- Schools, colleges, Practical Higher Education Courses will be open for all students.
- Recreation and exercise outdoors with household or one other person is allowed
- Wraparound childcare – childminders and other children’s activities can restart where it is needed to enable parents or carers to work and seek work.
29 March
- Rule of 6 or two households outdoors is permitted
- Outdoor sport and leisure facilities will open, with organised outdoor sport also being allowed
- Outdoor parent & child groups of up to 15 parents will be allowed
No earlier than 12 April
- Non-essential retail, personal care premises (such as hairdressers and nail salons) and public buildings (such as libraries and community centres) will reopen
- Hospitality venues can serve people outdoors only. There will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcohol, and no curfew – although customers must order, eat and drink while seated.
- Some outdoor attractions and settings (such as zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas) will also reopen
- Indoor leisure facilities (gyms and swimming pools) will reopen for use by people on their own or with their household.
No earlier than 17 May:
- Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues (cinemas and soft play areas) the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will reopen
- Outdoors, most social contact rules will be lifted – gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal.
- Outdoor performances (outdoor cinemas and theatres) can reopen
- Indoors, the rule of 6 or 2 households will apply
- Larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people will also be allowed, as will those in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4000 people
- In the largest outdoor seated venues where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend
Step 4, no earlier than 21 June:
- Reopen nightclubs and lift restrictions on large events and performances
- It is hoped all legal limits on social contact can be removed.
- This will also guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.