Boris Johnson roadmap: Key dates for reopening of events, pubs, hospitality, travel and weddings

Weddings with up to 30 people, indoor dining and reduced-sized crowds at football matches have been allowed from May 17 as part of his road map for reopening the economy.

And hospitality is finally open indoors - meaning pubs, restaurants and bars with no outdoor space can open.

With regards to travel, many more staycations are also available with hotels once welcoming holidaymakers once again.

Some international holidays are allowed following the Government’s announcement of a new traffic lights system for overseas travel, with countries designated either ‘green’, ‘amber’ or ‘red’.

It was hoped that the full economy would be reopened from June 21. However Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a four-week delay on Monday, June 14, with July 19 now slated for “Freedom Day”.

Each of the four big steps in the road map out of lockdown have been separated by at least five weeks – four weeks for scientists to assess the changing data on infections and risks, and another week to give people and businesses seven days’ notice of changes.

There are regional tiers this time – the whole of England has been moving in lockstep. But localised lockdowns may be needed to contain outbreaks with mass testing.

In key developments:

- Schools returned on March 8, with one-to-one socialising also allowed outdoors on that date;

- The Rule of Six was implemented on March 29, allowing people from six separate households to meet outdoors;

- Pub gardens were allowed to reopen from April 12, with adults allowed to socialise there under the Rule of Six;

- Mr Johnson also gave the green light for UK holidays from April 12;

- Adults are allowed to mix indoors under certain restrictions, with hospitality venues allowed to start serving indoors;

Here are the key dates:

March 8 – Schools return and one to one socialising allowed

SCHOOLS

Schools and colleges went back, including primaries, secondary schools and university students.

Wraparound childcare resumed, meaning after-school or pre-school clubs such as after-school sports clubs.

SOCIALISING

People are able to meet for recreation in outdoor public spaces on a one to one basis. Previously two people could meet during exercise but they were allowed to sit down for a coffee on a bench or have a picnic.

Households were again able to go outdoors for a picnic.

CARE HOME VISITS

Care home residents are allowed one regular named visitor, meaning large families will have to choose one family member to see a loved one alone.

STAY AT HOME

The “stay at home” order remains in place.

March 29 - Return of the Rule of Six and outdoor sports

SOCIALISING:

Outdoor gatherings of up to six people from lots of different households (the Rule of Six) are allowed, or a larger group from two households.

This includes meeting up in parks and also private gardens for socialising. It coincides with schools breaking up for Easter, meaning that people can have contact with loved ones and friends whom they may not have seen for a long time during the holidays.

SPORT:

Outdoor sports facilities reopen, including tennis and basketball courts.

People can take part in formally organised outdoor sports, for both children and adults.

STAY AT HOME:

Stay at home comes to an end, allowing people to go out more, replaced by a new instruction to “stay local”. People should still work from home wherever possible.

April 12 - Shops, pub gardens, holidays and hairdressers

NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL

By April 12 onwards, the Government hopes non-essential retail will be able to start reopening.

Opening up will also include hairdressers and nail salons.

However, if you are going to a hairdresser, you can only go with your own household, according to a ban on indoor mixing.

HOSPITALITY

Pubs and restaurants can reopen for outdoor purposes only – with tables outside in line with social contact rules.

People are able to meet friends or family in beer gardens as long as they abide by the rule of six or are made up of two households.

This time round, there are no rules about “substantial meals” which sparked a confusing row over whether a scotch egg constituted a meal and no curfews which restaurateurs said hampered their businesses.

Customers have to be seated when they order food and drink, under the changes.

OUTDOOR AND PUBLIC ATTRACTIONS

Most outdoor attractions reopen including zoos and theme parks.

Doors to libraries, indoor leisure facilities, gyms and pools can also be thrown open – on your own or with your household.

Commercial galleries are permitted to open from 12 April.

HOLIDAYS

People can go on holiday in the UK with your own household as long as it is to self-contained accommodation such as holiday lets and camp sites.

However, they have to be places where indoor services are not shared with other households.

FUNERALS AND WEDDINGS

Funerals are able to continue with up to 30 people and the number allowed to attend wedding receptions and commemorative events such as wakes rise from six to 15.

Speaking at a press conference on June 14, Boris Johnson announced the removal of the 30-guest cap on attending weddings, wedding receptions and other commemorative events such as wakes, but the capacity of venues will be limited by the requirements around social distancing.

May 17 - Indoor dining, cinemas, football fans in stadiums

SOCIALISING

From May 17 onwards, Downing Street said most social contact rules will be lifted outdoors including the rule of six or two household limit. However, remains illegal to gather with more than 30 people in a park or garden.

Indoor mixing is allowed again but only according to the rule of six or two household limit.

HOSPITALITY

Pubs and restaurants are able to throw open their doors for indoor dining as well with entertainment venues such as cinemas.

However, meeting inside a pub is limited to the rule of six or two households.

PUBLIC ATTRACTIONS

Museums across England can reopen from 17 May too.

LIVE EVENTS

Children’s play areas can start to open up as well as hotels and B&Bs and indoor adult exercise classes can resume.

Large sporting events and performances are able to have fans back in the stadiums with limits on numbers attending.

Indoor events with a capacity of 1,000 people or half full are allowed.

And outdoors, a capacity of 4,000 people are allowed or half full – whichever figure is lower.

Huge football stadiums such as Wembley can reopen with up to 10,000 people or a quarter full – whichever is lower.

July 19 – the whole economy finally reopens?

Under the final step – which was to be no earlier than June 21 but is now slated for July 19 – it is hoped that all limits can be removed.

This would include the reopening of certain sectors that stayed closed even during last summer such as nightclubs and live events.

The Government also hopes to be able to lift restrictions on live events.

Announcing the delay to Freedom Day, Boris Johnson said: "By being cautious now we have the chance in the next four weeks to save many thousands of lives by vaccinating millions more people.”

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