Covid: What's the roadmap for lifting lockdown?
- Published
Uncertainty hangs over plans to lift the last of the UK's lockdown restrictions.
The spread of the Indian (Delta) variant has led some scientists to call for a delay, and the government says it is "open" to that idea.
When could lockdown be lifted?
The final stage of lifting lockdown in England is due to take place no earlier than 21 June. A decision is expected on 14 June.
Leaders in the UK nations will make their own decisions on timings:
- Lockdown measures in Wales will be reviewed on 21 June
- Scotland is hoping to move all areas to its lowest level of restrictions - zero - on 28 June
- The next review in Northern Ireland is due on 10 June
What restrictions would be lifted?
In England, the government hopes to "remove all legal limits on social contact":
- No limit on how many people you can invite to your home
- Pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas allowed to operate without capacity limits
- Sports events able to take place in full stadiums
- Nightclubs able to open
- An end to limits on guests for weddings and other life events
Even if these are lifted, rules on facemasks and social distancing could remain in place, as reviews are continuing.
Wales and Northern Ireland have their own plans for lifting restrictions. In Scotland, level zero, retains some restrictions.
What are the rules at the moment?
Some changes apply wherever you are in the UK, although exact rules may vary between nations and - in Scotland - between areas:
Who can I meet at the moment?
Rules vary for each UK nation:
Meanwhile, rules are more complicated in Scotland.
Glasgow is now at Covid protection level two, along with 13 other areas - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Clackmannanshire and Stirling.
In these areas:
- Groups of six from a maximum of three households can meet in private and public indoor spaces (and stay overnight)
- Eight people from eight households can meet outdoors
Some districts have moved to Covid protection level one (down from level two) - Highland, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, East Lothian, West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.
The rules for meeting are:
- Six people from a maximum of three households can meet in a private home (and stay overnight)
- Up to eight people from three households can meet in an indoor public place like a cafe, pub or restaurant (indoors until 23:00, outdoors subject to local licensing rules)
- 12 people from 12 households can meet outdoors
Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles and a number of remote islands are now at level zero (down from level one).
The rules for these areas include:
- Up to eight people from four households can meet inside in a private home (and stay overnight)
- Up to 10 people from four households can meet in an indoor public place like a cafe, pub or restaurant
- Up to 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors
In all levels, children under the age of 12 are not included in the total number of people - but they are counted in the limit on the number of different households.
Travellers to and from Scottish islands are encouraged to take two rapid lateral flow tests before departure.
What about areas with high numbers of Indian/Delta variant cases?
The government has updated guidance for people in eight areas of England - Kirklees, Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.
In these places, "wherever possible, you should try to":
- meet friends and family outside
- keep 2m (6ft) apart from people you don't live or bubble with
- minimise travel in and out of affected areas