June 21 lockdown changes – Everything you can and can’t do from tomorrow after roadmap extended for a month
HOPES of a speedy return to normality were bitterly dashed this month when Boris Johnson delayed ‘Freedom Day’ from June 21 to July 19.
But while little will change to life as we know it tomorrow, there are still some changes that will go ahead.
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Speaking at a press conference earlier this month, Boris Johnson said: “This opening up over the last three steps has been accompanied by more infections and more hospitalisations.
“We must be clear that we cannot simply eliminate Covid.
“We must learn to live with it.
In some areas, rates of the Delta variant are “doubling every week”, the Prime Minister added.
“We can give the NHS a few more weeks to give those jabs into the arms of those who need them and since today I cannot say that we have met all our four tests for proceeding with step four on June 21,” he said.
“I think it is sensible to wait just a little longer.”
Instead, the review will come back before July 19, and ministers will make a decision on whether to go ahead or push that back.
Boris said that thanks to the spiralling case numbers – which today grew by 9,284 – the four tests for relaxing more rules have not been met.
It means that people will have to keep wearing masks in shops and public transport a little longer.
And pals will still only be able to meet indoors in groups of six – or outside in groups of 30 for a few more weeks.
But some changes will still go ahead. Here’s everything you can and can’t do from June 21…
Vaccines
The government has brought forward its July 31 target to offer a first dose of vaccine to all over-18s in the England.
Instead it now aims to offer all adults their first dose of the jab by July 19.
Ministers also aim to offer all eligible over-40s in England their second dose by July 19 at the latest.
To achieve this, all over-40s will now be offered their second dose eight weeks after their first – not 12 weeks, as it currently stands.
Weddings
Despite the delay to Freedom Day, the PM announced the wedding guest limit will be lifted from June 21.
The current rules allow up to 30 people to attend weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.
But this cap will be scrapped from June 21, with venues allowed to choose safe numbers.
Couples having ceremonies on private land – for example, their gardens – can have as many guests as they wish, as long as they carry out a risk assessment.
The change brings marriage ceremonies into line with funerals, for which there is already no upper limit.
Wakes
The 30-person limit on commemorative events like wakes will be lifted in England tomorrow.
The number of people allowed to attend will instead depend on how many people a venue can accommodate within Covid-secure rules.
It means wakes will now follow the same capacity rules as funerals.
Social distancing
Brits will still only be able to meet up in groups of six indoors.
The PM announced social distancing measures capping the number of people who can get together are set to stay in force in England until July 19.
That means the rule of six will stay. It limits inside events to six people from up to six households, or two households of any size.
The legal limit of 30 attendees at outdoor gatherings will also remain in force under the new delay.
Children of any age are included in headcount but professional carers aren’t while support bubbles only count as one household.
The police can crack down on those who flout the rules, including issuing fines of up to £6,400 for repeat offenders.
Nightclubs
Nightclubs were gearing up to welcome Brits back from tomorrow and bounce back after 15 months of Covid closures.
But the PM announced that Covid restrictions won’t fully lift until July 19.
It came days after nightclub owners last week vowed to welcome back party-goers regardless of government rules.
Meanwhile, others have said they are prepared to take legal action.
Strip clubs will also remain closed.
Carehomes
The Government has said rules on visits outside care homes will be relaxed in England from June 21, despite the roadmap delay.
The PM’s spokesman said: “The requirement for residents to isolate for 14 days after visits out of care homes will also be removed in most cases.”
From June 21, care residents won’t have to isolate after spending time away from the home with family and friends – including overnight stays.
Residents won’t have to isolate when they’re first admitted to a home either – unless they’ve just been in hospital.
Instead they’ll take a series of tests over the first two weeks to allow for a “less disruptive” introduction to their new home.
Work from home
The advice to work from home where possible will remain tomorrow.
Millions of staff could also be given the “default” right to work from home under plans to make working more flexible for employees.
The Government will look at ways to give workers more rights to ask for flexible working, working from home or job-shares in plans to be revealed later this year.
Cinemas & theatres
Theatres and cinemas will continue to be restricted to just 50 per cent capacity.
Singer Frank Turner, who has raised money for struggling small music venues, said the delay would “tip some businesses into final collapse”.
Theatre producer Sonia Friedman warned “many livelihoods are under existential threat”.
FREEDOM DAY - KEY DATES
June 14: Boris Johnson addressed the nation and revealed his plan to push Freedom Day back to July 19
June 21: The original end of lockdown under the PM’s roadmap, which has now been delayed
July 5: The PM will run the rule over the data for a two-week ‘break-clause’ review. If hospitalisations haven’t increased significantly, restrictions could be relaxed early.
July 19: The new ‘Freedom Day’ date where all remaining rules should be lifted.
Holidays
There will be no big group holidays for the next month at least, although there is hope that double-vaccinated Brits won’t have to isolate later after trips abroad.
According to the original roadmap, June 21 would have included the final unlocking of the travel industry in England, as well as an end to limits on social distancing.
However, that too is now out for weeks to come.
Currently, it is legal to stay overnight in the same property as up to six people from different households, or an unlimited number of people from two households.
That cap was set to be removed, with no limits on the number of people sharing a holiday home together or staying overnight in someone’s house.
The limit will now remain in place until at least July.
Boris Johnson said in February that he was “very optimistic” about June 21.