The Government has placed all of England into a new National Lockdown. Restriction are being eased over five phases which began on March 8. See below for an overview of the phases or, for more information, click here.

The restrictions lifted so far are as follows:

As of May 17^th

• “Rule of six” abolished for outdoor gatherings, replaced with a limit of 30 people.
• New guidance on meeting friends and family emphasises personal responsibility rather than government rules.
• Organised indoor sport can resume.
• Cinemas and hotels will reopen with social distancing measures in place.
• People can attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Attendance at these events is capped according to venue type, and attendees should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues.
• International travel recommences
• Organised indoor sport can take place for all. This includes gym classes. It must be organised by a business, charity or public body and the organiser must take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission.

April 12^th

• Non-essential retail reopens, including personal care services such as hairdressers.
• Outdoor hospitality will be permitted – including pubs and restaurants.
• Public buildings such as libraries and museums will reopen, as will zoos and theme parks.
• Indoor leisure – swimming pools and gyms – will reopen.
• Self-catering holiday accommodation and campsites will reopen. Domestic overnight stays will be permitted for households only.
• Weddings will be permitted with up to 15 people. Funerals will be permitted with up to 30 people.

March 29^th

• The end of the current “stay at home” order
• Outdoor gatherings of two households or under the previous “rule of six” will be permitted, including in private gardens.
• Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis or basketball courts will reopen and organised adult and children’s sport will be permitted.

March 8^th

• All schools and further education colleges will reopen, alongside breakfast and after-school clubs and children’s after school activities where necessary.
• Students at university courses requiring practical teaching in specialist facilities will also return. Other courses will remain online, with a target of a return to face-to-face learning after the Easter holidays.
• Recreational social interaction between two people – i.e. not purely for exercise – will be permitted outside.
• Care home residents will be able to nominate a single visitor.

The restrictions still yet to be lifted, due to a four-week suspension, are as follows:

June 21^st

• All limits on social contact removed.
• Nightclubs to reopen.

For full information on the latest guidance, please click here.

Members of the public, businesses, employers and employees are being asked to follow Government, NHS and Public Health England guidelines which can be found at gov.uk/coronavirus

See below for more information and links to helpful information.