Further lifting of lockdown rules in England

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