From Monday, June 21, almost all lockdown restrictions could potentially be lifted, according to the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.
It’s a date many of us have been cautiously anticipating, as the country takes its next steps towards some sense of normality.
The June 21 lifting of restrictions follows two previous phases of lockdown easing – step one took place on April 12 and another is tentatively set for May 17.
Should they go ahead, the rule changes on May 17 will see people being able to mix indoors in groups of six, pubs and restaurants operating indoors, and overnight stays permitted.
What lockdown rules will change on June 21?
It is hoped that limits on most social contact will be lifted from June 21.
Any remaining hospitality services that could not open in previous steps on the roadmap will now be able to.
Large gatherings, like weddings, could take place at full capacity.
Nightclubs could also reopen from this date, with live events, theatre performances and sports potentially being able to take place with large numbers of people in the audience.
This third step of lockdown easing will take place ahead of July, when every adult is predicted to have been offered their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
The government plans to test how a Covid vaccine passport could help crowds return to large events in England, including the theatre, nightclubs, and sports events.
The NHS app is being developed to act as the Covid vaccine passport to show if you’ve had a vaccine or if you’ve been tested, with the hope being it will help make international travel easier as well.
May 17 is said to be the earliest date that foreign travel will be permitted from the UK, but many inside the Government are now said to be ‘optimistic’ this is when the ban will be lifted.
While the changes cautiously set for June 21 may seem like a return to normality, Covid testing will likely become a common practice in day-to-day life, meaning that not everything will be just as it was before the pandemic.
What are the conditions for lifting lockdown rules?
As with all other stages of the roadmap, lockdown rules will only be eased if the four conditions listed below are met:
- The vaccination programme continues successfully,
- Data shows that the vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated,
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS,
- The Government’s risk assessment does not fundamentally change because of any new Covid-19 variants.
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