England is due to take its next step out of lockdown on Monday 17 May, with Boris Johnson confirming the country will move onto phase three of the government’s roadmap as planned.
The third lifting of restrictions since the nation began emerging from lockdown in March will see all but the most high-risk businesses reopen indoors and socialising inside permitted once more.
Mr Johnson also physical contact such as hugging can resume between different household groups.
What rules will change on 17 May?
- Indoor hospitality will restart, with cafes, pubs and restaurants allowed to serve food and drinks to customers indoors for the first time since December. People will have to remain seated and use table service only when ordering, but there will be no curfew or any restrictions on serving alcohol as there was at times under the previous tiers system.
- Indoor entertainment, such as cinemas and museums will also reopen, as will children’s play areas indoors.
- Indoor sports classes and group competitions can restart.
- Some larger indoors events, such as conferences, concerts and sports events, can go ahead with maximum crowds of 1,000 people or 50 per cent of capacity, whichever is lower.
- When it comes to outdoors gatherings, the remaining outdoor entertainment venues which have not yet reopened – including open-air cinemas and theatres – will be allowed to restart, as will outdoor events with up to 4,000 people or 50 per cent of capacity.
- A smaller number of bigger stadium events, including Premier League football, will be allowed to have up to 10,000 guests or 25 per cent of seated capacity.
- Accommodation, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs can take guests again, and overseas holidays will also be permitted for some countries with low levels of Covid. From 17 May, if you return from a country on the “green list” after a holiday you will not need to quarantine on arrival either at home or in a hotel (provided you have a negative Covid test result).
- Weddings will be allowed to have up to 30 people attending, and funerals can have as many as the venue can safely seat with social distancing rules. Other events such as bar mitzvahs and christenings can also go ahead.
- People can meet outdoors in groups of up to 30.
- Socialising indoors will be allowed in other people’s homes in groups of six or a maximum of two households.
- Overnight stays at someone else’s home will also be allowed, although with the same restrictions of no more than a group of six.
- Phyical contact between family and friends from other households is expected be allowed again
