Easing restrictions: Roadmap outlines the four steps to freedom

STEP 1 March 8 and March 29

■ From March 8, All students to return to schools and colleges - after schools clubs, outdoor school sports can resume.

■ Social meet-ups - 1+1 people can meet in a public space. A slight variation on the current rule permitting two to meet for exercise

■ Care home residents will be allowed one regular named visitor.

■ Stay at Home order will remain in place.

■ From March 29, outdoor gatherings of either six people or a larger group from up to two households will be allowed. This includes meetings in private gardens.

■ Tennis and basketball courts can reopen and children and adults can take part in “organised” outdoor sports

■ Stay at Home order will be relaxed but people will be encouraged to stay local wherever they can.

■ People will continue to be asked to work from home.

■ Foreign travel is still forbidden with some strict exemptions.

STEP 2 April 12 at the earliest

■ Non-essential shops, hairdressers and beauty and nail salons, as well as public buildings like libraries and museums can reopen.

■ Outdoor hospitality can also reopen - so a return to the beer garden or al fresco restaurant dining will be permitted, but the rule of six / two household rule will apply. Rules such as “substantial” meals and curfews are scrapped.

■ Zoos and theme parks can also reopen but again only for people visiting with their own household.

■ Gyms and swimming pools will also reopen.

■ Campsites and holiday lets where indoor facilities are not shared with other households can also reopen.

■ Households can stay in a selfcatering accommodation.

■ Funerals can continue with up to 30 people and wedding receptions permitted for 15 people.

STEP 3 May 17 at the earliest

■ Outdoor rules eased so two households and rule of six will no longer apply but gatherings of over 30 in a park/garden to remain outlawed.

■ Indoor mixing will be allowed again but the rule of six or a larger group from up to two households apply.

■ Inside of pubs and restaurants should reopen, along with cinemas, children’s play areas, hotels and B&Bs.

■ Larger performances and sporting events in indoor events with capacity of 1,000 or half full (whichever smaller) will be allowed and outdoors up to 4,000 people or half full will be allowed.

■ Bigger venues like football stadiums, will be allowed to have crowds of up to 10,000 attend.

■ The number of people allowed to attend weddings, receptions and wakes as well as funerals and other celebrations will be 30.

STEP 4 June 21 at the earliest

■ Restrictions largely lifted with the economy opening up.

■ All legal limits on social contact should be removed - including on weddings and nightclubs.