INDOOR hospitality and household mixing will return next Monday, as the Prime Minister announces: "Your efforts have paid off."
At today's press conference, Boris Johnson has announced the country will take the third step on the 'roadmap' out of lockdown on May 17.
This follows the downgrade of the Covid-19 alert level in the UK from Level 4 to Level 3 after a consistent fall in cases, hospital admissions and deaths.
Currently, indoor hospitality and indoor mixing is not permitted and groups of up to six from different households are able to meet up outdoors, but all that will change next week.
Here's everything you need to know about the changes coming on May 17.
– How are social contact rules changing?
People will be given an individual choice on whether to socially distance from close friends and family from different households, meaning loved ones will be allowed to hug for the first time in over a year.
But the Government is urging people to remain “cautious” about the risks that come with close personal contact and told to keep in mind that some are more vulnerable to severe illness from the virus than others.
Wider social-distancing rules will remain in place in adult social care, medical, retail, hospitality and business settings.
– Which outdoor activities will be allowed?
As summer approaches, people in England will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 people.
The Government’s road map advises people to “decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances” when arranging to meet.
– What about life events?
Up to 30 people will be able to join together to celebrate weddings, receptions, wakes and religious ceremonies like bar mitzvahs and christenings.
The Government will also lift the cap on the numbers attending funerals, in line with how many people can be safely accommodated in venues.
– Will performances and sporting events resume?
May 17 will herald a return to theatres and indoor sporting arenas, with a maximum capacity of 1,000 people.
Outdoor arenas will be able to host live events with a maximum number of 4,000 attendees, or for large outdoor seated venues where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000.
– Are there any changes to education and work?
Yes. All university students in England can return to campus next week for in-person teaching, with those returning expected to get tested twice a week throughout the rest of the summer term.
Face coverings for pupils will no longer be recommended in classrooms or in communal areas in secondary schools and colleges.
Meanwhile, Government guidance continues to advise employees to work from home where they can.
– Is it safe to book foreign holidays?
The current ban on overseas holidays will lift on May 17 and Prime Minister has previously announced the green list countries Britons will be allowed to travel to without having to quarantine, providing they take one post-arrival test.
Portugal, Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands – plus several small remote islands which are British Overseas Territories are currently on this list.
Within England, all remaining accommodation including hotels, hostels and B&Bs can re-open, with domestic overnight stays allowed in groups of up to 6 people or two households.
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