When will UK lockdown end? How Scotland, Wales and England are easing rules
BRITS have been enduring coronavirus lockdown since late March in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
But with Boris Johnson giving a massive hint that the two metre rule in schools could be cut, the lockdown looks like to be eased further in the UK’s four nations.
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When will lockdown end?
Lockdown restrictions are slowly being eased in different ways and at varying speeds across the UK, but July looks promising
Here we take a look at the situation in each of the four nations”
England
The final step in the government’s three-step plan is the most drastic easing of measures, allowing businesses like cinemas and restaurants to reopen – taking us into what is being dubbed the “new normal“.
They are working towards an earliest possible opening date of July 4, which essential signals the end of lockdown.
On Friday, June 19, Boris Johnson has given a massive hint that the two metre rule in schools could be cut, telling Brits to “watch this space”.
days before new rules allowed all shops to open and permitted households to join another in a “support bubble” if an adult lives alone or with a child.
They also now permit people to be present at births, and to visit people who are seriously unwell.
People can meet outdoors in groups of up to six, as long as they stay two metres apart.
Guidance for people who are shielding also says they can go outdoors for exercise.
Scotland
On Thursday June 18, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that the country would be moving into phase two of its easing of restrictions, which will see changes made over the course of the coming days and weeks.
People shielding can go outside for exercise and meet people from one other household.
For the rest of the general public, up to three households can meet up outside with no more than eight people gathered at a time.
People are urged to stay within a roughly five-mile radius of their home.
Face coverings are mandatory on public transport, dentists can reopen, professional sport can resume and places of worship will be able to reopen for individual prayer.
From June 29, shops and outdoor markets, playgrounds and sports facilities will reopen, along with zoos and “garden attractions”, although visitors should not travel more than five miles from their homes and tickets should be bought in advance.
Non-essential shops can also open from June 29 if they have outdoor entrances and exits.
Restrictions on moving house will be dropped and weddings will be allowed to go ahead if they are outdoors and with “limited numbers”.
Wales
An announcement on what will be relaxed next in Wales will be made on Friday, and is expected to include reopening non-essential shops and relaxing restrictions on more outdoor activities.
People are restricted to journeys of five miles for leisure, and travelling to parks, beaches and attractions outside your local area is not allowed.
But this week Government minister Eluned Morgan said reviewing the restriction would be in the “melting pot” of ideas discussed ahead of Friday’s announcement.
Members of two separate households are allowed to meet outdoors, provided they stay local and keep to social distancing, and there is no restriction on the number of people who can meet at one time.
Face coverings are not mandatory.
Northern Ireland
Changes to restrictions were announced on Thursday, including that hair salons, barbers and nail bars can reopen on July 6.
Church services are set to resume on June 29, while guidance advising people in high-risk categories to shield will be paused at the end of July.
Childcare services will be available to all parents at the start of July and pupils in key year groups will also return to school on August 24.
Schools can also operate with a one-metre social distancing measure rather than two, allowing class sizes to return to almost normal levels.
In measures already known, caravan parks, campsites and self-contained tourist accommodation will be able to reopen from June 26.
A week later on July 3, hotels, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, pubs and bars will be able to welcome customers back.
Indoor pubs and bars opening on that date will have to primarily function as restaurants and offer substantial meals with table service.
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What’s happened so far?
June 19: Welsh government reopen all shops with tourism resuming by July 6.
June 19: Boris Johnson giving a massive hint that the two metre rule in schools could be cut, the lockdown looks like to be eased further.
June 18: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that the country would be moving into phase two of its easing of restrictions, which will see changes made over the course of the coming days and weeks.
June 18: The Northern Ireland Executive agrees to reduce social distancing at schools from 2 metres to 1 metre,
June 15: non-essential retail reopened in England, with people flocking back to high streets and retail parks, which had social distancing measures in place.
Zoos and safari parks also reopened, as did places of worship for private prayer.
June 12: Non-essential retailers reopen in Northern Ireland
June 1o: Johnson announces a further easing of lockdown measures in England that will allow people living alone to spend time in one other household as part of a “support bubble”
June 5: Health Secretary Matt Hancock urges people not to breach lockdown rules by attending anti-racism protests planned for the forthcoming weekend.
May 28: During the latest lockdown review, it was announced that severe restrictions would be easing as five of the Government’s key tests had been passed and the R rate was decreasing.
May 26: It is announced that Brits will be able to invite people round for garden get-togethers and see grandparents for the first time in months.
May 25: Dominic Cummings reads a statement to the press after allegedly breaching lockdown rules.
May 23: Boris Johnson will give lockdown Brits a real fresh start this week — by re-opening the great outdoors. The PM will ease restrictions on open-air activities in the latest step on the road back to normal life.
May 22: It was announced that arrivals to UK must quarantine for 2 weeks from June 8 with rule breakers set to face a £1000 fine.
May 21: Matt Hancock revealed the Government are giving £4.2m in funds to charities like the Samaritans, Young Minds and Mental Health UK.
May 20: The Queen’s Birthday Honours’ List will be held off until the autumn to allow to recognise those bravely battling the coronavirus – including Captain Tom Moore who will receive a knighthood.
May 19: The Environment Secretary revealed the Covid Alert level system which showed that the UK is currently on Level 4. Level 5 is the highest it goes when the virus is at its worst – but Mr Eustice announced that we are working towards the third tier as it follows the R value.
May 13: The first lockdown measures officially ease as some Brits return to work, golf courses, fishing lakes and garden centres are reopened
May 12: Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirms the furlough scheme has been extended until October.
May 11: Mr Johnson unveils a 50-page plan laying out the the easing of lockdown.
May 7: Government extends lockdown by a further three weeks.
May 6: Professor Neil Ferguson quits government role after he was found to have met his lover during lockdown
May 5: Contract tracing app began its trial in the Isle of Wight – as UK overtook Italy to have highest death toll in Europe and second globally behind US.
May 4: It was reported that schools are to reopen at the start of June, with Year 6 kids expected to be first to return, followed by Year 10 and 12 pupils, while the five tests that need passing before lockdown could be lifted were revealed.
April 30: Johnson hosts his first briefing since his return.
April 29: Dominic Raab revealed the combined number of fatalities from hospitals, care homes and the wider community for the first time.
April 28: Hancock doubles down on the 5 criteria to lift lockdown, expands testing capacity to care homes to protect elderly and the over 65’s with symptoms and workers that have to leave home to go to work and are showing symptoms.
April 27: Mr Johnson returned to work with a speech outside Downing Street
April 22: Social distancing is likely to be needed until a vaccine is available for Covid-19, according to the chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty.
April 21: Human trials of a vaccine developed by Oxford University were announced and will start Thursday, April 22. Johnson started working again, making an official call to President Trump.
April 19: A government adviser brought some hope, saying the UK had probably passed the first coronavirus peak. However, there was bad news for pubs that could stay closed until Christmas. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson laid out plans for 14 weeks of online learning but wouldn’t say when schools will re-open.
April 18: Scientists draw up top-secret “traffic light” system to ease Britain out of lockdown, but ministers deny it.
April 17: Police set new guidelines in a three-page document on what “reasonable” excuses are to leave the house.
April 16: Dominic Raab officially states Britain will stay in lockdown for another three weeks into May.
April 15: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged the Government to be “transparent” and publish its lockdown exit strategy.
April 12: Home Secretary Priti Patel said police would be given discretionary powers to make sure people were following social distancing rules.
April 11: Easter Bank Holiday saw warm weather descend on the UK, with the Government urging people to stay at home and save lives.
April 9: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announces it is too soon to lift social distancing restrictions, with SAGE to review the restrictions after Easter Monday.
April 5: The Prime Minister is admitted to hospital for treatment, ten days after first displaying coronavirus symptoms on 27 March.
April 1: Cops are told to tone down “heavy-handed” enforcement, after drones were used to spot people visiting beauty spots, and checkpoints were set up at some locations
March 26: Police get new powers, allowing them to fine Brits flouting lockdown rules £60 – or £120 for second-time offenders
March 23: Boris Johnson announced a partial, three-week-long lockdown, telling us to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus. Certain businesses and venues were ordered to close, including pubs, hair and beauty salons, places of worship and campsites
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