Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that people in England can hug friends and family as the success of the Covid-19 vaccine drive allows the next stage of lockdown easing to proceed.
Mr Johnson confirmed that indoor service can resume at hospitality venues, while groups of six will be allowed to meet inside each other’s homes.
But he warned people not to abandon all caution as the lockdown conditions were lifted.
"Your efforts have so visibly paid off," he said, addressing the country at a news conference. "I can confirm today that we have met our four tests for easing the lockdown in England."
"The data now supports moving to step three of easing lockdown."
Mr Johnson said the move was the "single biggest step in our roadmap" to ending lockdown restrictions.
Hotels, cinemas and theatres can reopen, and the ban on group exercise and overnight stays with people from different households will similarly be lifted. All the changes will take effect on May 17.
The latest lockdown easing measures come after Britain’s recent successes in its fight against the pandemic. Infection and hospital admission rates are dramatically down.
“This doesn’t mean we can suddenly throw caution to the wind. More than a year into the pandemic we know close contact such as hugging is a direct way to spread disease. Think about that person’s vulnerability. Have they had two doses of a vaccine?” the prime minister said.
Mental Health Minister Nadine Dorries said allowing friends and family to hug again for the first time in a year would boost people’s well-being.
"Most people have missed that intimate contact with family and friends," she told Sky News on Monday.
“We’ve been really concerned about people being isolated, not having that contact with family and friends, we can’t underestimate how important it is.”
More than 35.4 million people in the UK have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while more than 17.8 million are fully vaccinated with two doses, government figures showed.
The number of new cases reported on Monday was 2,357, and there were four deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test.
“The data reflects what we already knew – we are not going to let this virus beat us,” Mr Johnson said.
“The roadmap remains on track, our successful vaccination programme continues – more than two thirds of adults in the UK have now had the first vaccine – and we can now look forward to unlocking cautiously but irreversibly.”
The reopening of the economy in England has so far followed the pace Mr Johnson originally set out when his roadmap was revealed in February.
"I'm pretty certain our city centres will have bustle again," Mr Johnson said.
The government has allowed five weeks between each stage of the plan to monitor any spike in the infection rate.
Final data checks on the last easing measure – the reopening of non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality – will take place this week.
Mr Johnson said on Friday that the variant of coronavirus first detected in India must be “handled carefully” because scientists believe it could be on par with the strain detected in England in terms of transmissibility.
Meanwhile, the South African variant was detected in the North Kensington area in London, the Department of Health and Social Care said.
UK lockdown easing - what freedoms are restored on May 17?
If there is no spike in the virus, it is expected:
- Hugging between friends and family can take place
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors
- Overnight stays allowed with people not in your household or bubble
- Restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings and more than 30 can attend funerals
- Museums, theatres and cinemas can open
- Performances and large events can restart, with limits on audience numbers
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
- International trips allowed
- Exercise classes can restart
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
