Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that the next stage in the easing of Covid restrictions for England will go ahead from 17 May 2021.
Many of the businesses that are currently still closed or working at reduced capacity will be able to welcome staff and visitors back. Social distancing, the use of face masks and regular hand washing or sanitising remain in place, and it is still advised that if you can work from home, you continue to do so until step 4 of the roadmap is confirmed.
From 17th May, drinks and meals will be allowed indoors for groups of up to six or two households and outdoor restrictions will be lifted to a limit of 30 people.
Indoor businesses such as sports stadiums, cinemas, hotels, children’s play areas and theatres may reopen – depending on capacity size of the venue to ensure COVID measures can still be followed.
Weddings, funerals and other significant life events have a maximum of 30 attendees.
People are also allowed to stay overnight with those not in their household or bubble.
International travel may be permitted from this point, with a ‘traffic light’ system list of countries announced last Friday 7th May.
Traveling to a green country means a pre-departure test, a return without self-isolation, and another COVID test taken on or before day 2 of returning to England. Amber countries mean the same testing as for a green country, plus an isolation period of 10 days, with a ‘test to release’ taken on day 5, and a further test on day 8 of the return. The government strongly advises against traveling to red countries, upon return the traveller must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days, with further PCR testing on day 2 and day 8.
Step 4 – No earlier than 21st June
Remove all legal limits on social contact, weddings and other life events may go to full capacity again.
All remaining businesses will be reopened including nightclubs and large events such as concerts and theatre performances may go ahead.
There may be a testing facility for these to reduce the risk of infection.
Click here to see the full roadmap.
Before proceeding to the next step, the government will examine the data to assess the impact of previous easements.
This assessment will be based on four tests which are that:
– The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
– Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
– Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
– Assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern.
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