On April 12, England will move to the second stage of the Covid roadmap out of lockdown.
More places will open and people will be able gather as a single household or bubble indoors, or in a group of six people or two households outdoors.
Non-essential retail stores will open, as will indoor leisure centres such as gyms and swimming pools.
Outdoor areas at cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs and social clubs will also be able to reopen, including for takeaway alcohol.
These venues will be allowed to let customers use toilets inside.
At any premises serving alcohol, customers will be required to order and be served using table service.
Personal care services will also be able to reopen, including hair, beauty and nail salons, tattoo studios, spas and massage centres.
Outdoor attractions and public buildings, such as community halls, centres and libraries, will reopen.
Self-contained holiday accommodation will be able to reopen but will be restricted to use by a single household or support bubble.
Wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, as well as funerals and wakes, will also be allowed to take place indoors. Social distancing guidance will still apply.
Wedding receptions may only take place outdoors during this phase.
Some outdoor events, organised by a business, charity, public body or similar group, can go ahead subject to conditions.
Throughout the spring, the government will run a research programme that will include enhanced tests to see whether larger crowd sizes and reduced social distancing are a viable option in future.
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A person cycles through Hyde Park in sunny weather in London. Reuters -
Families enjoy a boating lake in Finsbury Park, London. AP Photo -
Players from Hangleton First hold a team meeting before their match in the Brighton, Worthing & District Football League in Brighton, after restrictions on outdoor sports were lifted. AFP -
Women draw hearts on the National Covid Memorial Wall on the south bank of the Thames in London. AP Photo -
People enjoy a fine spring day in Stratford-upon-Avon. AP Photo -
People enjoy the sunny weather in Sefton Park, Liverpool. AP Photo -
A woman roller skates through Hyde Park in London. Reuters -
People relax in sunny weather in Hyde Park. Reuters
Lockdown began to lift in England on March 29, when outdoor sports centres were opened and people were allowed to attend organised events at them.
At venues such as gymnasiums and outdoor pools, people were able to use the facilities in a group of six people, or with members of up to two households.
England's current lockdown rules
- People can meet outdoors in a group of six from any number of households, or in a group of any size from two households only
- People can take part in formal, organised outdoor sports with any number of people, with outdoor sports venues allowed to reopen
- Childcare and supervised activities allowed outdoors for all children
- Organised parent and child groups can take place outdoors for up to 15 attendees (children under five will not be counted in this number)
What happens in May?
From no earlier than May 17, most social contact rules outside will be lifted although gatherings of more than 30 will remain illegal.
Indoors, the rule of six or two households will apply – although the government has said it will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this.
Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will also reopen.
Limited crowds will also be allowed at sporting events.
All remaining restrictions on social contact could be lifted from June 21, allowing for larger events to go ahead and nightclubs to reopen.
