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The Government has today published the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England.
It is important to remember that England is still in a national lockdown. We must stay at home, leaving only where permitted by law and follow the rules in this guidance.
The roadmap outlines four steps for easing restrictions. Before proceeding to the next step, the Government will examine the data to assess the impact of previous easements. This assessment will be based on four tests which are that:
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
- An assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern.
From 8 March, some of the rules on what you can and cannot do will be changing:
- you will be allowed to spend time in outdoor public spaces for recreation on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This means you can sit down for a drink or picnic. You must continue to maintain social distance from those outside your household. This is in addition to outdoor exercise, which is already permitted
- pupils and students in all schools and Further Education settings will be able to return to face-to-face education
- wraparound childcare can reopen and other children’s activities can restart for all children where it is needed to enable parents to work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group. Vulnerable children can attend childcare and other children’s activities in all circumstances
- students on practical Higher Education courses at English universities who have not already returned and would be unable to complete their courses if they did not return to take part in practical teaching, access specialist facilities or complete assessments will be able to return
- there will continue to be restrictions on international travel. Holidays will not be a permitted reason to travel
- those seeking to leave the UK must complete an outbound declaration of travel form ahead of departure
- the rules on visiting care homes will change to allow regular indoor visits for a single named visitor
No further significant changes will be made on 8 March and restrictions requiring you to stay at home will remain in place. Later changes, including from 29 March, are set out in the roadmap.
The Clinically Extremely Vulnerable are advised not to attend work, school or education until 31 March.
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