Further lifting of lockdown rules in England has been confirmed by the prime minister. Having friends over and drinking inside a pub are among the changes that are here now.
What's changing from Monday 17 May in England?
Meeting up
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
- Six people or two households can meet indoors, with overnight stays allowed
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions and other life events
- Number of people who can attend a funeral no longer capped, but determined by the size of the venue
- Up to 30 allowed to attend a support group or parent-and-child group (not counting under fives)
- Care home residents allowed up to five named visitors and more freedom for visits out of the home
- Social distancing with close family and friends will be a matter of personal judgement. But people are asked to remain cautious around close contact, like hugging.
- Social distancing will remain in place in social care, medical, retail, hospitality and business settings
Leisure and entertainment
- Pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to open indoors
- Indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas and children's play areas can open
- Theatres, concert halls, conference centres and sports stadiums can all reopen
- Organised adult sports and exercise classes can restart indoors
- Steam rooms and saunas may reopen
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen
Education
- Face coverings no longer recommended in secondary schools for pupils
- All remaining university students eligible to return to in-person teaching
Travel
- People will be able to travel abroad to green list countries without having to quarantine when they return