As the four tests of easing lockdown continue to be met, the government is continuing to take steps to ease lockdown rules.
Therefore, from 12 April:
- No indoor mixing of different households will be allowed.
- Non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms, nail salons, libraries, and outdoor attractions such as theme parks and zoos will be allowed to reopen.
- Outdoor hospitality can reopen, including pubs and restaurants – with the rule of six or a larger group from two households.
- Customers will not have to buy a substantial meal to have an alcoholic drink and there will be no curfew but people will have to be seated when ordering and eating or drinking.
- Two specified people can visit care home residents.
- Children can attend indoor children’s activities, including sport.
- Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five) can restart indoors.
- Self-catering holidays in the UK with your own household will be allowed.
Before proceeding to the next step, the government will examine the data to assess the impact of previous changes.
The four conditions that must be met at each phase of lockdown easing are:
- The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatment
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions
- New variants of the virus do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions
