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Gloucestershire Business News

Roadmap to recovery at a glance

Full reopening in June is the ultimate destination of the Government's roadmap to reopening from the coronavirus lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the plan with each of four steps assessed on four tests

  • The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
  • Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths.
  • Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
  • Assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants.

There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step - four weeks for the data to reflect changes in restrictions, followed by seven days' notice of the restrictions to be eased.

But what exactly is the route to reopening the economy.

Step One (two parts)

March 8

  • All schools and colleges reopen
  • University practical courses can return. Review by the end of Easter holiday for other students.
  • Face coverings recommended in class for secondary school pupils plus parents and staff in primary schools.
  • Wraparound childcare can return for vulnerable pupils and where needed for parents or carers to go to work, support groups or to seek medical care.
  • Two people from different households can meet outside for recreation.
  • A nominated person can visit care homes but will need PPE, a lateral flow test and to "keep physical contact to a minimum".
  • Weddings attended by up to six people.

March 29

  • People can meet outside with one other household or within the rule of six, including in private gardens.
  • The stay at home rule will end but people should stay local as much as possible.
  • Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis courts.
  • Organised outdoor sports can restart
  • Parents and children groups can return but are capped at 15 and must be outdoors. Indoor groups can take place for vulnerable children and where parents need the groups to go to work.

Step Two

No earlier than 12 April

  • Non-essential retail and personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons, as well as public buildings such as libraries and community centres, will reopen.
  • Most outdoor attractions and settings, including zoos and theme parks, will reopen although wider social contact rules will apply to prevent indoor mixing between different households. Drive-in cinemas and performances will be permitted.
  • Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools will reopen for use by people on their own or with their household.
  • Hospitality venues can serve people outdoors. There will be no need to order a substantial meal with alcohol and no curfew - although customers must order, eat and drink while seated.
  • Self-contained accommodation such as holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can reopen.
  • Funerals can continue with up to 30 people with numbers able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes rising to 15.

Step Three

No earlier than 17 May

  • Most social contact rules will be lifted outdoors although gatherings of more than 30 people will remain illegal.
  • Outdoor performances such as cinemas and theatres can reopen. Indoors, the rule of six or two households will apply, subject to review.
  • Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will reopen.
  • Larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half full (whichever is lower) will abe allowed, as will those in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half full (whichever is lower).
  • In the largest outdoor seated venues where crowds can spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or one quarter capacity, whichever is lower).
  • Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. Other life events that will be permitted include bar mitzvahs and christenings.

Step Four

No earlier than 21 June

  • All legal limits on social contact removed.
  • Nightclubs reopen and restrictions on large events and performances Step Three removed.
  • This will also guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.

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