Covid: What's the roadmap for lifting lockdown?
- Published
Lockdown rules are easing across much of the UK from Monday 17 May.
In Scotland and England, pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors, and social distancing will be relaxed further.
Pubs will also be able to begin indoor service in Wales - with other rule changes yet to be confirmed.
How are lockdown rules changing in Scotland?
Most of mainland Scotland is moving to level two restrictions (with the "very likely" exception of Moray, where infection rates remain high).
This means that from 17 May:
Scottish islands - apart from Skye - will be moving to level one restrictions on 17 May (it's hoped the rest of Scotland will follow on 7 June).
These are:
- Up to eight people from three households to socialise indoors in a public place
- A maximum of 12 people from 12 households to socialise outdoors
- Hospitality can remain open until 23:00
- A maximum of 100 people at weddings, funerals and other life events
What's the current situation?
- Cafes, pubs and restaurants can open indoors - until 20:00 each day, no alcohol can be served, groups of up to six people from two households
- Indoor attractions like galleries and museums are open
- Non-essential informal childcare can operate
- Non-essential work can take place inside people's homes
- Up to 50 people who can attend funerals and wakes
In Moray, these rules are expected to remain at this level beyond 17 May. Restrictions are also being reinstated on travel in and out of the area.
How are lockdown rules changing in England from 17 May?
Meeting up
Social distancing with close family and friends will be a matter of personal judgement. But people are asked to remain cautious around close contact, like hugging.
Social distancing will remain in place in social care, medical, retail, hospitality and business settings. People will still need to wear face coverings on transport and in shops, unless they are exempt.
Leisure and entertainment
Education
- Face coverings no longer recommended in secondary schools for pupils
- All remaining university students eligible to return to in-person teaching
Travel
From 21 June it's hoped:
- All legal limits on social contact will be removed
- Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen
How are lockdown rules changing in Wales?
From Monday 17 May, pubs, cafes and restaurants can open inside, and up to six people from different households will be able to meet there.
However, people who do not live together (or who are not in bubbles) will have to maintain a two-metre social distance from one another.
It's also hoped that cinemas, theatres and museums can reopen - but yet to be confirmed.
What's recently changed?
- Gym exercise classes, and other organised indoor activities for adults, can resume for up to 15 people
- People can form extended households again, allowing two households to meet and have contact indoors
- Community centres can open
How are lockdown rules changing in Northern Ireland?
More restrictions may be lifted on 24 May, including:
- Reopening of indoor hospitality, including pubs and hotels
- Indoor group exercise
- Some indoor mixing of households in private homes
- Reopening of B&Bs and hotels
- Restarting of wedding receptions and funeral wakes
- Reopening of indoor visitor attractions
What else has changed in Northern Ireland recently?
- The closing time of 23:00 BST for takeaways and 20:00 for off-licences and selling of alcohol has been removed
- Competitive outdoor sports and squad training has restarted
- Static band practice and rehearsals allowed in agreed outdoor locations
- Care home residents are allowed two one-hour visits per week
What can you do already across the UK?
There are some things you can do anywhere - although exact rules may differ between nations:
Clarification: An earlier version of this piece said that exercise was only allowed once a day. However, while government guidance said this was what people should do, it did not make exercising more than once against the law.