Boris Johnson has revealed a phased roadmap to lift coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the UK, contingent on meeting four critical tests: the success of the vaccine rollout, vaccine effectiveness in reducing hospitalisations and deaths, infection rates, and the absence of new variants. Each phase of easing will be spaced by at least five weeks to allow careful monitoring of the impact.
On March 8, schools and colleges will reopen for face-to-face teaching. University students requiring practical sessions or assessments will also be allowed back on campus. Additionally, two people from different households will be permitted to meet outdoors.
From March 29, the outdoor rule of six will return, allowing six people from different households to meet in gardens or parks. Two households may meet even if the total exceeds six. Outdoor sports such as golf, football, and tennis can resume.
April 12 marks the reopening of non-essential shops, gyms, and beauty salons. Domestic holiday lets will resume, and pubs will be able to serve food and drink outdoors without the previous “substantial meal” requirement. Zoos, theme parks, and public libraries will also reopen. An international travel review is scheduled for this date as well.
From May 17, indoor gatherings of six people or two households may be allowed. The hospitality sector, including pubs, restaurants, and bars, will be permitted to reopen indoors. Theatres, cinemas, and sports stadiums will reopen with social distancing and limited capacity.
June 21 will bring a significant review to consider removing social distancing measures and lifting legal limits on social contact. If conditions allow, high-risk venues such as nightclubs could reopen.
Official reaction to the plan has been hopeful. Caroline said, “It’s been such a tough start to the year and I know we’re all eager to get our lives back to normal as soon as it’s safe to do so. I’m delighted that based on the four tests the PM has set out, including the continuation of the successful vaccine rollout and monitoring any new variants, we will see our society and economy reopen over the next few months. Most importantly, we should soon be able to see those we love.”
The roadmap follows Boris Johnson’s announcement of a goal to offer every adult in the UK a coronavirus vaccine by the end of July. Currently, one in three UK adults has received their first dose. Latest data indicates that one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine reduces hospitalisations and deaths by 75% against the dominant UK strains. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine also provides strong protection, although further data is awaited to fully assess its effectiveness.
Originally published by UKNIP.
