These are the key dates for the easing of lockdown restrictions in England

Boris Johnson announces key dates for easing of lockdown restrictions - list in full (Photo by Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty Images)Boris Johnson announces key dates for easing of lockdown restrictions - list in full (Photo by Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Boris Johnson announces key dates for easing of lockdown restrictions - list in full (Photo by Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Prime Minister has laid out his ‘roadmap’ to ease England out of lockdown, revealing a phased exit out of current restrictions.

The Government plan will aim to have England’s coronavirus restrictions finally lifted by 21 June, beginning with the return of all pupils in English schools to class from 8 March.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs the plan aimed to be "cautious but irreversible" and at every stage decisions would be led by "data not dates".

Here are the key dates in the UK Government exit plan:

Return of pupils to school - 8 March

All pupils in England’s schools will return to class from 8 March.

Facemasks will be required for all secondary school pupils in classrooms and shared spaces, including corridors.

Families and childcare bubbles will be “encouraged to get tested regularly” when schools return, the Prime Minister said.

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Breakfast and after-school clubs will also return and other children’s activities like sports cubs can be allowed to restart “where necessary to help parents to work”, the PM added.

Care home visits - 8 March

Every care home resident will be able to nominate one visitor from 8 March.

Rule of six outdoors returns - 29 March

The rule of six or two households meeting outside will return from 29 March.

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis or basketball courts will reopen and organised adult and children's sport, such as grassroots football, will also return

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Shops, hairdressers, gyms, beer gardens reopen - April 12

From 12 April at the earliest non-essential retail, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality venues such as beer gardens will be allowed to reopen.

Gyms and swimming pools will also reopen, along with self-contained holiday lets, but only for individuals or household groups.

Pubs and restaurants can reopen, but will be restricted to serving people outdoors.

There will also be a removal of the curfew, and an end to the requirement from alcohol to be accompanied by a “substantial meal”.

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Funerals continue with up to 30 people, and weddings with up to 15 guests.

Review of international travel rules - 12 April

The PM said a review of international leisure travel restrictions would be announced by 12 April at the earliest.

Two households indoors - 17 May

From 17 May two households can mix indoors.

The rule of six will be abolished for outdoor gatherings and replaced with a limit of 30 people.

The rule of six will be applied in hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants.

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Cinemas, hotels, live performances socially distanced - 17 May

Cinemas, hotels, live performances and sporting events will be able to reopen, but will have to enforce social distancing measures.

Very large seating outdoor venues will be able to hold up to 10,000 spectators.

All remaining restrictions lifted - 21 June

From June 21 at the earliest, all remaining restrictions on social contact could be lifted, larger events can go ahead and nightclubs could finally reopen, according to the Government’s road map.

The easing of restrictions will also remove the limits on weddings.

The PM said he hopes to lift restrictions on large events and performances “potentially using testing to reduce the risk of infection”.

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