FRREEDOM BECKONS... WHAT YOU CAN DO FROM MAY 17

SOCIALISING

■ The ban on hugging someone from another household will be lifted, but people will be urged to be cautious and use their ‘personal judgment’.

■ People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors.

■ Ban on indoor socialising lifted, but still governed by the Rule of Six, meaning people can meet in a group of six or two households.

■ Overnight stays with people not in your household or support bubble are allowed.

CARE HOMES

■ Care home residents will be allowed up to five named visitors who can spend time inside with them, up from two, and won’t have to self-isolate after leaving the home to attend medical appointments.

HOSPITALITY

■ Pubs, restaurants and cafes can serve customers indoors, but the Rule of Six applies. Customers must be served at their table.

■ The one-metre rule remains in place in public settings such as pubs, shops and restaurants.

ENTERTAINMENT

■ Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas, museums and soft play centres can reopen.

HOLIDAYS

■ Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen.

■ The ban on foreign holidays is lifted, although quarantine-free travel is only possible to a tiny number of ‘green list’ destinations.

EDUCATION

■ University students can return to in-person teaching on campus.

■ Secondary school children will no longer have to wear masks in classrooms and corridors.

SPORT

■ Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart.

EVENTS

■ Performances and large events can restart at theatres, sports stadiums and business conferences, with caps on audience numbers.

■ Outdoor sporting events and performances can be half full up to a capacity of 4,000. At the biggest outdoor seated venues, up to 10,000 attendees will be allowed.

WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS

■ The limit on the number of people who can attend weddings is increased to 30, however dancing remains banned.

■ The cap on the number of mourners at funerals will be lifted, with venues instead setting limits based on capacity.