How are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland planning to lift lockdown restrictions?

All four nations are following slightly different rules

The whole of the UK is currently under lockdown in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19 and therefore reduce the burden on NHS hospitals and staff.

But each of the devolved nations is following slightly different rules tailored to suit their own circumstances and differing levels of infection.

Prime minister Boris Johnson will unveil his "roadmap" out of England's lockdown in an announcement scheduled for 22 February.

So how do England's lockdown rules compare with those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and how is each nation planning to lift restrictions?

Schools

On Friday, first minister Mark Drakeford extended the lockdown in Wales by three weeks in a bid to ensure its youngest pupils can return to school.

All children aged three to seven are set to return to the classroom on 22 February, with plans to get secondary school pupils who are preparing for exams back by 15 March.

Earlier this week, first minister Nicola Sturgeon extended Scotland's lockdown until at least the end of March.

She also confirmed that pupils will begin returning to schools from 22 February and is expected to give a further update next week.

Primary school children in Years 1 to 3 and senior students who have exams are being prioritised, with the rest to follow at a later date.

First minister Arelene Foster has extended Northern Ireland's lockdown until the beginning of April and pupils will start going back to school on 8 March.

Boris Johnson is expected to announce on 22 February that England's schoolchildren can resume lessons from 8 March.

Meeting outdoors

Although the lockdown in Wales has been extended, Mr Drakeford did announce some "very modest changes" to restrictions.

From 20 February, four people from two different households can exercise outdoors together to help those struggling during the lockdown.

"This does not mean that it is permissible for people to drive somewhere to exercise and it does mean exercise, not socialising," Mr Drakeford said.

Speaking in Holyrood on Tuesday, Mr Sturgeon said there would be "no immediate changes" to the regulations in Scotland.

Under current rules, people in Scotland are still being urged to "stay at home" unless for essential purposes such as work and exercise.

Northern Ireland's advice also remains to "stay at home" unless for essential purposes.

People must stay at home in England unless for essential purposes too. Next week, the PM is expected to confirm that from 8 March people will be able to meet one friend from outside their household for a coffee on a park bench or picnic outside.

Pubs, restaurants and hospitality

All pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues remain closed across all four nations.

Mr Drakeford has said that if infection rates continue to fall then the tourism industry in Wales might be able to partially open by the beginning of April.

Self-contained accommodation, including hotels and bed & breakfasts with room service, alongside caravans and lodges, could be allowed to operate, he said.

It remains unclear when pubs and restaurants might open.

Ms Sturgeon has said pubs and restaurants will not reopen "imminently", while the focus remains on returning schoolchildren to classroom learning.

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland pubs and restaurants are not expected to open until the middle of April.

Pubs and restaurants remain closed in England and are only permitted to offer takeaways.

Any reopening of the hospitality industry will depend on the coronavirus R number – or rate of transmission – trending downwards.

At a press conference earlier this month, the PM said there is still not enough data to be able to make a firm decision on when pubs and restaurants can reopen.

However, some reports have suggested drinking in a pub beer garden might be allowed from the beginning of April, with restrictions on sitting in eased by May.