Lockdown roadmap: Everything you can do from 8 March
The first step of the coronavirus lockdown brings the return of schools and limited social contact
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Your support makes all the difference.Coronavirus restrictions in England start to ease from Monday, 8 March, under Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown.
The process is due to end on 21 June with the removal of all legal limits on social contact and the reopening of nightclubs, theatres and other large venues.
However there are several stages to go through first, and the prime minister has said that each will depend on whether four tests are satisfied.
These include the continued successful deployment of vaccines, the reduction of hospitalisation and deaths, infection rates that do not risk a surge in hospital admissions, and that the situation does not change with the emergence of new variants.
Here is our guide to the first step in the roadmap, setting out everything you can do from 8 March.
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Schools and colleges reopen
Pupils and students in all schools and colleges will return to face-to-face education.
Practical higher education courses at universities will restart for students who would be unable to complete their courses if they did not take part in practical teaching, access specialist facilities, or complete assessments. Research labs and libraries can be kept open if needed.
Childcare
Wraparound childcare (including childminders) and other children’s activities can restart for all children where it is needed to enable parents or carers to work, seek work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group.
Under-18 sport can take place at school as part of educational provision, or as part of wraparound care, but should not otherwise take place at this time.
Meeting outdoors
The "Stay at Home" direction is loosened slightly to allow recreation or exercise outdoors with the persons's own household, support or childcare bubble, or with one other person from another household.
Travel declaration introduced
Outbound travellers will be legally obliged to provide their reason for travel on the Declaration to Travel form. Travel abroad for holidays will still not be permitted.
Regular care home visits
Every care home resident in England will be able to nominate a single named visitor who can come in for a regular visit. The visitor will have to take a rapid lateral flow test every time they visit, wear PPE and keep physical contact to a minimum.
Weddings with six people allowed
Weddings will no longer be limited to exceptional circumstances but will still be limited to 6 attendees only. Rules around funerals will not change - these can proceed with 30 attendees, and wakes with 6 attendees, though not in private homes.
Election campaigning permitted
The regulations have been amended to allow “campaign-related activity” ahead of the local elections in May, as long as they take place in a Covid-secure way, in line with guidance and the law.
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