The country remains in Step 3 of the government’s roadmap

The Prime Minister has today (14th June 2021) announced a 4-week pause at Step 3, with the current restrictions remaining in place.

It is expected that England will move to Step 4 on 19 July, though the data will be reviewed after 2 weeks in case the risks have reduced. The government will continue to monitor the data and the move to Step 4 will be confirmed one week in advance.

However, some restrictions will change on 21 June.

Stage four of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown would see all legal limits on social contact removed, with venues and events operating without capacity limits and the cap on guests at weddings lifted. All remaining businesses will be reopened including nightclubs and large events such as concerts and theatre performances would go ahead.

Even if these restrictions are removed, rules on face coverings and social distancing could remain in place.

From 21 June, there will be changes to the rules on:

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and wedding receptions or civil partnership celebrations, and commemorative events following a death such as a wake, stone setting or ash scattering

The number of people who can attend these events in a COVID-Secure venue or other venue (such as a garden of a private home) will be determined by how many people a venue can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place, including guests of all ages and anyone working at the event.

Large events pilots from 21 June

A limited series of pilot events will take place to produce additional evidence on reopening events safely. Attendees will need to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.

This will include some UEFA EURO 2020 matches at Wembley and a small number of other sports, arts and music performances. The full list of pilots, and further details about the events, will be announced shortly.

Care home visits

For visits in to care homes, all care home residents will be able to nominate an essential care giver. These essential care givers will be able to visit the care home resident, even if the resident is isolating.

In most cases, residents who go on a visit out of a care home will no longer need to isolate for 14 days when they return. Residents returning from some higher risk visits out of the care home, such as an overnight stay in hospital, will still be required to isolate. Decisions on risk will be made following a risk assessment by the care home for each visit out.

Click here for a full overview of what you can and cannot do.

On free testing, she said:

“One of the many things businesses need to know is how long free testing will continue for.

“For reasons of business and employee confidence, as well as public health, Government must guarantee free testing for all for at-least the medium term.”