LOCKDOWN rules have eased further today, and Brits are celebrating by raising glasses in beer gardens and hitting the shops.
England has moved one step closer to normality today by entering the second stage of Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown today.
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Non-essential shops can reopen again, and boozers and restaurants can serve punters outside.
Shaggy-haired Brits can finally get their locks chopped and work on getting into shape as gyms reopen.
But not all businesses can open today and many remain shut.
They will have to wait until stage three of the plans which are outlined for May 17, while others won’t be allowed to reopen until stage four on June 21.
These dates might be knocked back even further – each step will only be followed if the country has successfully passed four tests.
These tests are: the continued vaccination of the population continues at pace, that jabs are working, infection rates are not threatening the NHS andthere are no threatening new strains of the bug.
We explain which businesses will reopen on May 17 – and which will have to wait even longer to welcome customers back.
Which businesses will stay shut until May 17?
Businesses that rely on an indoor setting will be allowed to open their doors to customers again from May 17.
This will include pubs and restaurants, both of which would be allowed dine-in customers from this date.
Stadiums can reopen for sports and performances, but capacity limits will be in place.
Up to 10,000 people will be allowed in outdoor spaces where people can spread out, while stadiums will be limited to up to 4,000 people, or 50% capacity.
Indoor events will be capped at 1,000 people, or 50%.
Other businesses that will be allowed to reopen at this time include indoor entertainment, such as cinemas and bingo halls.
Here’s what can reopen on May 17 at the earliest:
- Pubs and restaurants can serve indoors
- Cinemas
- Theatres
- Museums
- Children’s play areas, including soft play centres
- Holiday accommodation including hotels, hostels and B&Bs
- Indoor exercise classes and sporting events
- Stadiums (the largest ones will be able to hold up to 10,000 people)
- Casinos
- Bingo halls
- Bowling alleys
- Saunas and spas
Which businesses will stay shut until June 21?
All other restrictions will lift in June 21 and Brits will be able to feel a sense of normality by July – as long as the vaccine rollout continues at pace and infection rates stay low.
This is as long as the pace of the vaccine rollout continues the way it is, and infection rates stay down.
Nightclubs could finally be allowed to reopen and weddings and funerals should be allowed without restrictions on numbers from June 21.
Here’s what businesses can open on June 21:
- Nightclubs
- Larger events
Hairdressers can open today along with gyms.
Working from home measures will remain in place until at least June.
Cinemas and bingo halls have to stay closed until May 17 under the PM's roadmap out of lockdown.
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