Boris Sets Roadmap for Lockdown Exit – But It’s a Cautious One
Boris Johnson has unveiled a phased plan to lift coronavirus restrictions – if four key tests are met: vaccine rollout, vaccine effectiveness in cutting hospitalisations and deaths, infection rates, and absence of new variants. These dates mark the earliest possible easing, with each stage spaced by at least five weeks to allow time for monitoring.
March 8: Back to School and First Outdoor Meet-Ups
- Schools and colleges reopen for face-to-face lessons.
- University students needing practical sessions or assessments can return to campus.
- Two people from different households allowed to meet outdoors.
March 29 and April 12: Outdoor Fun and Retail Reboot
- From March 29, the rule of six returns outdoors. Six people from different households can meet in gardens or parks.
- Two households may meet even if the total exceeds six.
- Outdoor sports like golf, football, and tennis can restart.
- April 12 sees non-essential shops, gyms, and beauty salons reopen.
- Domestic holiday lets resume and pubs, with no “substantial meal” rule, can serve outdoor food and drink.
- Zoos, theme parks, and public libraries will welcome visitors again.
- An international travel review also slated for April 12.
May 17 and June 21: Indoor Socialising and Potential End of Restrictions
- From May 17, indoor gatherings of six or two households might be allowed.
- The hospitality sector gets the green light to fully reopen – pubs, restaurants and bars welcome customers inside.
- Theatres, cinemas, and sports stadiums to open with social distancing and limited capacity.
- June 21 brings a crucial review on scrapping social distancing and lifting legal limits on social contact.
- High-risk venues like nightclubs could reopen if all goes well.
Official Reaction: Hope on the Horizon
“It’s been such a tough start to the year and I know we’re all eager to get our lives back to normal as soon as it’s safe to do so,” said Caroline. “I’m delighted that based on the four tests the PM has set out, including the continuation of the successful vaccine rollout and monitoring any new variants, we will see our society and economy reopen over the next few months. Most importantly, we should soon be able to see those we love.”
Vaccine Progress Boosts Confidence
The roadmap comes just after Boris announced the goal to offer every adult a vaccine by the end of July. Already, one in three UK adults has had their jab.
Latest data shows one dose of Pfizer/BioNTech cuts hospitalisations and deaths by 75% against dominant UK strains. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine also offers strong protection, though more data is awaited to gauge its full effect.
