What you can do if next lockdown easing goes ahead on Monday, April 12

The next stage of the lockdown easing is scheduled for April 12 as long as Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives the go-ahead on Easter Monday.
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Boris Johnson has outlined the Government’s ‘roadmap’ of easing lockdown restrictions in February which outlined when each stage reopening of businesses and relaxing of the rules would be held.

Step 1 saw schools reopened on March 8 and the ‘stay at home’ order lifted on March 29.

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Mr Johnson is set to announce to the nation on Easter Monday what is set to happen as he assesses the Roadmap for easing the lockdown measures.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Frank ReidPrime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Frank Reid
Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture by Frank Reid

In the Roadmap the next stage, step 2, be on or after Monday, April 12, but how will businesses be allowed to operate and what activities will be legal from then.

If the Prime Minister gives the go-ahead, Step 2 will see:

* the opening of non-essential retail;

* personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons;

* and public buildings, including libraries and community centres.

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* Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups);

* as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.

* Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.

* Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors at Step 2 and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’). Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.

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Also in Step 2, while funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15.

The later steps will see further restrictions lifted into the summer, so far expected to be on May 17 and the final step on June 21, as long as the Government’s measures are met.

Step Three – May 17 – includes:

The third step will begin no earlier than May 17, and most restrictions on meeting outdoors will be lifted, subject to a limit of 30.

Families and friends will be able to meet indoors subject to the rule of six or meeting of two households.

Pubs and restaurants will open indoors as will cinemas, children’s play areas, hotels, hostels and B&Bs, theatres and concert halls will reopen their doors.

Step 4 – June 21 – includes:

This step will begin no earlier than June 21.

Boris Johnson says they will aim to remove all legal limits on social contact and on weddings and other life events.

They will look to reopen everything up to and including nightclubs and enable large events such as theatre performances above the limits of step three – potentially using testing to reduce the risk of infection.