What's the roadmap for lifting lockdown?
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Lockdown restrictions have begun to be eased across the UK.
In Scotland and Wales four people from two different households can now meet outside.
In England, the next relaxation of rules will take effect on 29 March.
Northern Ireland will outline its plans to relax restrictions in the coming weeks.
How are lockdown rules changing in Scotland?
What's already been changed:
- Outdoor mixing between four people from up to two households allowed (for 12-17 year olds, four people from up to four households)
- Outdoor non-contact sports and organised group exercise allowed for all adults, in groups of up to 15 people
- Care home visiting restrictions have been eased, and residents can see two visitors per week
- Primary children are back at school, with a phased return of secondary pupils underway
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Dates have been identified for further planned changes, but these will remain under review and depend on Covid data.
From 26 March
- Communal worship allowed to resume, with up to 50 attending (if social distancing permits)
From 2 April:
- Stay at home rules become "stay local"
From 5 April:
- At least four people from two households can meet outside
- Hairdressers and barbers (but not mobile services) can reopen for pre-booked appointments
- More shops can reopen and non-essential click-and-collect can resume
- Outdoors non-contact group sports for 12 to 17-year-olds can resume
12-19 April:
- All pupils back at school full-time.
From 26 April:
- Scotland will return to the "levels" system of local restrictions, with the whole country in level three "if the data allows"
- Travel within mainland Scotland allowed
- Up to six people from up to three households can socialise outdoors (six 12- to 17 year olds can meet socially from six households outdoors)
- Up to four people from two households can socialise indoors in a public place, such as a cafe or restaurant, but alcohol can't be served
- All shops and close contact services like nail salons can reopen
- Cafes, pubs and restaurants can open until 20:00 indoors (no alcohol) and 22:00 outdoors (alcohol permitted); takeaway food can be collected indoors
- Gyms can open for individual exercise
- Indoor attractions and public buildings such as galleries, museums and libraries can open
- Non-essential work in other people's homes can take place
- Driving lessons and tests can take place
- Funerals and weddings including post-funeral events and receptions can take place with up to 50 people (no alcohol)
- Tourist accommodation can open with restrictions in place
From 17 May:
- All areas of Scotland in level three move to level two
- Up to four people from two households can socialise indoors in a private home or public space
- Hospitality venues return to "greater normality", possibly serving alcohol indoors until 22:30. Customers may be asked to book two hour slots. Alcohol can be served outdoors until 22:00
- Outdoor adult contact sport and indoor group exercise can restart
- Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls can reopen
- Small outdoor and indoor events can resume, with restrictions
- Face-to-face support services can resume
Early June:
- All areas of Scotland in level two move to level one
- Up to six people from up to three households can socialise indoors
- Up to eight people from three households can socialise outdoors. Eight 12- to 17 year olds from eight households can meet socially outdoors
- Hospitality can remain open until 23:00
- Indoor non-contact sport can take place
Late June:
- All areas of Scotland in level one move to level zero
How are lockdown rules changing in Wales?
From 13 March
- "Stay at home" rule becomes "stay local"
- Four people from two different households can meet up outdoors to socialise, including in gardens (children are excluded from the number)
- Outdoor sports facilities will be able to reopen
- Care home residents can receive one designated visitor
From 15 March:
- All primary school children and those in qualifications years can return to class (children aged three to seven have already returned)
- Hairdressers can reopen for appointments only
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From 22 March:
- Gradual easing of rules around non-essential shopping and non-essential aisles in supermarkets
- Garden centres to reopen
From 27 March:
- Self-contained accommodation in Wales will be able to reopen provided case rates remain low
From 12 April:
- All shops, including all close-contact services, will be able to open
- All pupils will return to school
How will lockdown be lifted in England?
What's already changed?
- Schools and colleges have reopened, and university students can return for practical courses
- Two people from different households can meet outside for recreation, which can include "a coffee on a bench"
- Care home residents can have one nominated visitor, with testing and social distance precautions
From 29 March:
- People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the "rule of six", including in private gardens
- The stay at home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible
- Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis and basketball courts, and formally organised outdoor sports can restart
- Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances
Stage two (no earlier than 12 April):
- All shops allowed to open, along with close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauty salons (including in people's homes)
- Restaurants and pubs allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors
- Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
- Members of the same household can take a holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation
- Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
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Stage three (no earlier than 17 May):
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors
- Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events, like christenings
- Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open
- Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children's play areas can open
- Performances and large events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
- International leisure travel may resume
- Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart
Stage four (no earlier than 21 June):
- All legal limits on social contact will be removed
- No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events
- Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen
What are the four tests for easing restrictions?
Each stage will be a minimum of five weeks apart. Four conditions must be met at each stage before proceeding to the next one:
- The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan
- Vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying or needing hospital treatment
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions
- New coronavirus variants do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions
Read the current lockdown rules:
How are lockdown rules changing in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland has extended its lockdown until 1 April, with a review of current measures on 18 March.
Primary school children in Years 1-3 are back at school. A plan for them to return to remote schooling from 22 March has been scrapped.
Secondary school pupils in years 12-14 will also return to class on 22 March. There are no dates currently set for other children to return.