Lockdown roadmap Step 2: What you can do from 12 April after latest easing of restrictions

PM announces outdoor hospitality, hairdressers and gyms can reopen next week

Boris Johnson has announced that lockdown restrictions will continue to be eased in England next week in line with Step 2 of the government’s roadmap back to normality.

The prime minister confirmed on Monday that the roadmap remained on track as coronavirus data showed that the government’s “four tests” for easing restrictions had been met.

The four tests relate to the continued success of the UK’s vaccine rollout, evidence on vaccine efficacy, Covid-19 infection rates, and assessments on the risk posed by new variants.

Significant parts of the indoor economy and outdoor settings will be allowed to reopen from 12 April as part of the latest easing of restrictions.

However, outdoor gatherings will be limited to six people or two households and socialising indoors with people outside your household or support bubble will still be banned.

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You can find a guide to what you can do from 12 April below:

Outdoor hospitality to reopen

Hospitality venues, such as pubs and restaurants, will be allowed to reopen for outdoor service, with no curfew and no requirement on serving a substantial meal with alcohol.

However, table service will be required so customers will need to eat and drink while seated.

Non-essential retail, gyms and hairdressers to reopen

More indoor settings will be allowed to reopen, including non-essential retail, personal care premises such as hairdressers, beauty and nail salons, and indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas (excluding saunas and steam rooms).

Social distancing rules will still apply in these settings and indoor settings must only be visited alone or with your household group.

Overnight stays away from home permitted in England

From 12 April, overnight stays away from home in England will be permitted and self-contained accommodation can reopen - although it must only be used by members of the same household or support bubble.

Other indoor and outdoor settings reopening

Public buildings, such as libraries and community centres, will be allowed to reopen from next week, as will the majority of outdoor settings and attractions, including zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas and drive-in performance events.

Additional changes to rules

The number of care home visitors will be increased to two per resident from next week.

Funerals will be allowed to continue with up to 30 attendees, while weddings, outdoor receptions and commemorative events, including wakes, will be allowed with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open).

Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children under the age of five) will be allowed to restart indoors.

What hasn’t changed…

Government guidance says that people should continue to work from home where they can and minimise domestic travel where they can.

International holidays are still illegal. When is Step 3? This stage cannot start before 17 May, and will allow the reopening of indoor hospitality as well as eased restrictions on the size of groups at events such as weddings.