PM confirms easing of some coronavirus restrictions on 12 April

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the next stage of England’s roadmap for easing coronavirus restrictions will take place on 12 April.

But at a Downing Street briefing yesterday ( 5 April) he urged: “We can’t be complacent, we can see the waves of sickness afflicting other countries.”

Mr Johnson stressed it was by being cautious, monitoring the data at every stage and by people following the rules they could make this second stage of the roadmap “irreversible”.

Hairdressers, gyms, non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality will re-open in a week’s time – and the ‘stay local’ message will end meaning some domestic holidays will be possible.

What will happen on 12 April?

• Non essential shops to reopen

Shops including clothes and charity shops will re-open but masks will still need to be worn.

• Pubs and restaurants will open outdoors

Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve customers food and alcohol outdoors – with no curfew and no need to have a substantial meal to order a drink.

The rule of six will apply (up to six people or two separate households) and social distancing rules.

Customers will not be allowed to stand at the bar and will have to order, eat and drink while seated. They will have to wear a face covering when not seated.

• Hairdressers, beauty and nail salons

Hairdressers and personal self-care businesses such as beauty and nail salons will be able to open again but appointments will have to be booked. Tattoo and piercings shops are also included in the guidance.

• Gyms, leisure centres and spas

Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools will also reopen – but can only be used by people on their own or in household groups. Although spas will re-open, saunas and steam rooms will remain closed.

• Libraries and community centres

Libraries and community centres will be able to reopen.

• Self-catering holidays 

People in England will be able to go on a domestic self-catering holiday in a cottage, caravan or campsite where they do not have to use shared indoor facilities. They will only be able to go with members of their household or bubble.  International holidays are still illegal.

• Weddings and funerals

Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place. Funerals can be attended by up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes

• Theme parks and zoos will open

Outdoor attractions such as zoos, safari parks and botanic gardens as well as theme parks and drive-in cinemas/performances will reopen.

• Children’s indoor activities

All children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity, including sport, regardless of circumstance.

Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five years old) can restart indoors.

• Care home visitors

The number of nominated people allowed to visit a care home will increase to two for each resident.

• Outdoor gatherings

Outdoor gatherings must still be limited to six people or two households, and indoor socialising will still not be allowed with anyone outside your household or support bubble. 

• Working from home

People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise domestic travel where they can.

A Covid-status certification system will be developed over the coming months which could allow higher-risk settings to be opened up more safely and with more participants.

The system will take into account three factors: vaccination, a recent negative test, or natural immunity (determined on the basis of a positive test taken in the previous six months).

For more information about the current lockdown easing and restrictions visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#how-the-rules-will-change-on-12-april

People in urgent need can call the #WeAreBristol helpline to receive food, medicine and other necessities:
0800 694 0184 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am- 2pm).