COVID-19 : Road Map out of Lockdown

 COVID-19 

Road Map out of Lockdown

22/02/21

* All information has been taken from the COVID-19 Response Spring 2021 Publication on the Gov.uk website

On the basis of the Government’s assessment of the current data against the four tests, Step 1 can proceed. 

Step 1 will start with schools on 8 March, and include some further limited changes on 29 March to allow families to meet outdoors as most schools break up for the Easter holidays. 

By the time Step 1 begins, those aged 70 and over and the clinically extremely vulnerable (JCVI cohorts 1 to 4) will have received protection from their first dose of the vaccine.

As set out above, around four weeks is required to see the impact of the previous step in the data and the Government has committed to provide a further week’s notice to businesses. 

Step 2 will therefore take place no earlier than 12 April, subject to an assessment of the data against the four tests. 

If Step 2 is delayed, subsequent steps will need to be pushed back in order to maintain the necessary five week period to assess the impact of each step and provide notice.

Step 3 will take place no earlier than 17 May, and at least five weeks after Step 2, following a further review of the data and the four tests. 

Again, the Government will announce one week in advance whether restrictions will be eased as planned. 120. 

In Step 3, all but the most high-risk sectors will be able to reopen. 

In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place and premises must not cater for groups larger than the legal limits. 

Sectors which will reopen include: COVID-19 RESPONSE − SPRING 2021 

a. 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; 

b. Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas; 

c. Indoor entertainment, such as museums, cinemas and children’s play areas; 

d. Remaining accommodation, such as hotels, hostels and B&Bs; 

e. Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes; and 

f. Some large events, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events. 

Controlled indoor events of up to 1,000 people or 50% of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower, will be permitted, as will outdoor events with a capacity of either 50% or 4,000 people, whichever is lower. 

The Government will also make a special provision for large, outdoor, seated venues where crowds can be safely distributed, allowing up to 10,000 people or 25% of total seated capacity, whichever is lower. In addition, pilots will run as part of the Events Research Programme to examine how such events can take place without the need for social distancing using other mitigations such as testing (see paragraphs 132 to 134).

 Step 4 will take place no earlier than 21 June, and at least five weeks after Step 3, following a further review of the data against the four tests. 

As before, the Government will announce one week in advance whether restrictions will be eased as planned. 127. 

With appropriate mitigations in place, by Step 4, the Government aims to: 

a. Remove all legal limits on social contact, publishing accompanying guidance on how best to reduce the risk of transmission and protect ourselves and loved ones; 

b. Reopen the remaining closed settings, including nightclubs and enable large events, including theatre performances, above the Step 3 capacity restrictions, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme (set out in paragraphs 132 to 134) and potentially using testing to reduce the risk of infection, subject to further evaluation; and 

c. Remove all limits on weddings and other life events, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme.