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What's the roadmap for lifting lockdown?

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image captionFriends in Ramsgate brave the cold for their first post-lockdown drink

People in Scotland will be allowed to meet up in larger groups outdoors from Friday.

And pub gardens, gyms and non-essential shops can now open in England. How is lockdown changing across the UK?

What are the rules in England?

More businesses can now open as part of stage two easing of lockdown rules.

Outside, six people or two households can meet - even in private gardens.

You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the number of journeys you make where possible.

Mixing indoors with people not in your household or bubble is still not allowed .

The following is now permitted or allowed to open:

  • All shops
  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services
  • Restaurants and pubs (serving food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors)
  • Gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
  • Holidays in England in self-contained accommodation by members of the same household
  • Non-essential journeys between England and Wales
  • Weddings - up to 15 people
  • Funerals - up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes
  • Indoor children's activities
  • Two care home visitors per resident
  • Driving lessons - with driving tests restarting on 22 April

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
  • Domestic overnight stays allowed with people not in your household or bubble
  • 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):

  • It's hoped 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

Read the government's roadmap.

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What are the four tests for easing restrictions?

  • 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
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What are the rules in Wales?

  • Six people from two different households (not counting children under 11) can meet and exercise outdoors and in private gardens.
  • Households or support bubbles can holiday in self-contained accommodation - including hotels with en-suite facilities.
  • All pupils and students can now return to school, college and other education.
  • All shops and close-contact services can open
  • The ban on travelling in and out of Wales has ended
  • Driving lessons can resume and some driving tests (remainder on 22 April)

Early queues as Wales' shops reopen after lockdown

From Monday 26 April:

  • Outdoor hospitality, including cafes, pubs and restaurants can open
  • Outdoor attractions, including funfairs and theme parks can open
  • Organised outdoor activities and wedding receptions for up to 30 people can resume

From Monday 3 May:

From Monday 17 May:

  • Children's indoor activities can resume
  • Community centres can open
  • Organised indoor activities for adults, limited to a maximum of 15 people; this includes exercise classes

Pubs, cafes and restaurants could be allowed to reopen indoors in time for the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May - but a decision won't be taken until at least 17 May.

How are lockdown rules changing in Scotland?

12-20 April (depending on term dates):

  • All pupils back at school full-time

From 16 April:

  • Groups of up to six adults from six households will be allowed to meet outdoors
  • People will be allowed to travel across Scotland to meet up, as long as they do not stay overnight

Scotland's Covid travel ban to be lifted on Friday

From 26 April:

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "extremely confident" that restrictions will be eased, taking those parts of Scotland currently under Covid protection level four rules down to level three.

That would bring mainland Scotland in line with Scottish island communities.

  • All shops and most close-contact services (such as nail bars) allowed to fully reopen. Mobile close-contact services cannot operate, with the exception of hairdressers and barbers
  • Six people (not including children under the age of 12) from two households can meet indoors in a public place - but not a private home
  • Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open indoors and outdoors and offer food and non alcoholic drinks - they must shut by 18:00
  • Hotels, B&Bs, self-catering, caravan and camping sites can open - but you shouldn't share self-catering accommodation with another household
  • Driving lessons and tests can take place
  • Travel ban to and from other parts of the UK expected to be lifted
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From 17 May:

  • All areas of Scotland should move to at least level two
  • Up to four people from two households can socialise indoors in a private home
  • Hospitality venues return to "greater normality", possibly serving alcohol indoors until 22:30 - customers may be asked to book two-hour slots
  • Outdoor adult contact sport and indoor group exercise can restart
  • Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls can reopen

Early June:

  • It's hoped all areas of Scotland in level two will move to level one
  • Up to six people from up to three households can socialise indoors in a private home
  • Up to eight people from three households can socialise indoors in a public place
  • A maximum of 12 people from 12 households can socialise outdoors
  • Hospitality can remain open until 23:00
  • A maximum of 100 people at weddings, funerals and other life events

Late June:

  • It's hoped all areas of Scotland in level one will move to level zero

What can I already do?

  • The stay at home rule has changed to stay local
  • Outdoor mixing (four people from up to two households)
  • Outdoors non-contact group sports for 12 to 17-year-olds
  • More shops can reopen, including: garden centres (indoor and outdoor), key cutters and homeware stores
  • Non-essential click-and-collect can resume
  • Hairdressers and barbers (but not mobile services) can reopen for pre-booked appointments
  • Communal worship (up to 50 people with social distancing)
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How are lockdown rules changing in Northern Ireland?

The stay-at-home order has been lifted after being in place for more than three months.

People have been told to "stay local" and continue to work from home where they can.

  • Ten people from two households can meet up in private gardens
  • Non-essential shops can resume click-and-collect
  • Outdoor retail can reopen - including new and used car sales, garden centres and car washes
  • Remaining school year groups 8-11 return to classes (years 1-3, 4-7 and 12-14 have already returned)
  • Sports training with up to 15 people can resume

Lockdown rules ease in Northern Ireland

The limit on the number of people allowed to attend a wedding, civil partnership or funeral has also been removed.

Venues instead will again have to assess how many people they can safely accommodate in line with a risk assessment.

Read the current lockdown rules:

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