What are the four steps of easing lockdown?

22 February 2021, 16:02 | Updated: 22 February 2021, 17:16

By Alice Dear

Boris Johnson has announced a four-step plan out of lockdown which will start in March and continue until June.

Pubs and restaurants to open from 12 April outside

Boris Johnson announced today in the House of Commons the Government's roadmap plans out of lockdown in England.

The Prime Minister announced steps to ease lockdown will begin with schools, which will reopen on March 8.

He also set out a timeline of when pubs, restaurants, gyms, salons and hairdressers will be reopening in the four-step plan.

What are the four steps of easing lockdown?

Step 1: From March 8, 2021

• All schools to reopen
• Outdoor school sports and activities allowed to resume
• People allowed outdoors recreationally on a one-plus-one basis
• Care home residents permitted one regular visitor and will be able to hold hands
• Funerals to allow up to 30 people and weddings will allow 6

From March 29, 2021

• Up to six people from two households allowed in outdoor spaces
• Outdoor sports facilities to reopen (eg Tennis, Basketball courts)
• Organised adult or children's sports activities can return
• Outdoor child and parent groups can return (up to 15 parents)

Step 2: After five weeks of Step 1, NO earlier than April 12, 2021

• Non-essential retail to open
• Outdoor hospitality can reopen
• Gyms and indoor leisure open for individual use
• Hairdressers and personal care services can reopen
• Outdoor attractions such as zoos, drive-thru cinemas and theme parks can reopen.
• Funeral wakes, weddings and receptions can have up to 15 people

Step 3: After five weeks of Step 2, NO earlier than May 17, 2021

• Indoor hospitality, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcoholic drinks, and no curfew. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) will remain
• 30 person limit outdoors - rule of six will apply indoors (subject to conditions)
• International travel may be allowed (subject to conditions)
• Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open
• Indoor entertainment, such as museums, cinemas and children’s play area can open
• Remaining accommodation, such as hotels, hostels and B&Bs will be allowed to operate
• Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes
• Some large events, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events
• Significant life events allowed up to 30 people

Step 4: After at least five weeks of Step 3, NO earlier than June 21, 2021

• Remove all legal limits on social contact, allowing people to meet indoors
• Nightclubs, theatres allowed to reopen (subject to conditions)
• All limits on weddings and other life events removed