The Roadmap towards lifting Lockdown in England - The Return of the Soft Edges

It has been over a year since the first Lockdown and just over 3 months since the third, during which time we have experienced drastic change to our professional and personal lives. Children and students have had their education turned upside down. We have realised the importance of face-to-face social interaction and the fact that the “soft edges” have been missing from our lives, those things we have always taken for granted.

On April 12th, 2021, Stage 2 of the roadmap toward lifting lockdown came into play and those “soft edges” are now being re-introduced slowly into our lives. The escapism, the meeting face-to-face with family, friends, colleagues, sitting outside a cafe for a coffee or a beer, a long awaited visit to the barbers or hairdressers, going to the gym or swimming in a pool. Eventually, with sensible and measured protocol in place, we will hopefully work our way back to some sense of normality. 

So, what will you soon be able to do in England, and what's the situation in other parts of the UK?

Stage Two as from 12th April 2021

More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone or with household groups. Outside, six people or two households can meet.

• All shops, non-essential, are allowed to open

• Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open

• Restaurants and pubs are allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors

• Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres

• Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation

• Weddings can take place with up to 15 people

• Funerals will allow up to 30 people, with 15 people permitted at wakes

• Children will be able to attend any indoor children's activity

• Care home visitors will increase to two per resident

Be prepared for these Changes

The Government’s overriding goal is to protect the lives and livelihoods of citizens across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. The ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ (the roadmap) sets out how the Government will continue to protect and support citizens across the UK and provide a roadmap out of the restrictions in place across England.

The Government committed to taking a cautious approach to easing those restrictions, guided by data instead of dates, to avoid another surge in infections that could possibly put unsustainable pressure on the NHS. The roadmap sets out “no earlier than” dates for these steps, which are five weeks apart. This allows four weeks for the data to begin to reflect the impact of the previous step and a further weeks’ notice to individuals and businesses before introducing the changes.

Take some time to read the Roadmap Reviews which provide guidance on how the Government intends to continue re-opening the country. England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland are taking things at a different pace, so be sure you understand what guidance has been put in place for each of these countries.

Read the updated Government guidance on how the Housing Sector must continue to manage Covid Protocols.