What is allowed under Covid lockdown rules around the UK?
The lockdown is being gradually eased in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the details of how and when this is happening vary in the four constituent parts of the UK.
England
What restrictions have been lifted? On Monday 29 March the rules were eased to allow groups of up to six people, from any number of households, or a group of any size from up to two households, to gather in parks and gardens.
The “stay at home” order was also replaced with an encouragement to “stay local”.
Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and outdoor swimming pools courts have reopened, with organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – able to return. What restrictions remain?
People are asked to continue to work from home where possible. Overseas travel remains banned.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers, libraries and beer gardens and theme parks will stay shut until 12 April at the earliest. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools also due to remain shut until 12 April.
Indoor gathering remains banned until at least 17 May, when groups of up to six people will be allowed to meet inside.
Wales
What restrictions have been lifted? From Saturday 27 March the stay local rules were lifted by the Welsh government and and replaced with an “interim all-Wales travel area”. It allows residents of Wales to go as far as they like around the country.
Four people from two households have been allowed meet outdoors since 13 March. Outdoor sports facilities including basketball courts, tennis courts and golf courses have also been open since then. Hairdressers and barbers have been allowed to open since 15 March.
What restrictions remain? Non-essential shops are still shut, but are due to reopen from 12 April. Outdoor hospitality, which includes cafes, pubs and restaurants, is due to stay shut until 26 April.
From 3 May, organised outdoor
activities and outdoor wedding receptions for up to 30 people can take place. By 10 May, gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can reopen for individual or one-to-one training but not exercise classes. From the same date rules will also allow two households to meet and have contact indoors.
Scotland
What restrictions have been lifted? Outdoor mixing between four people from up to two households is already allowed, along with outdoor noncontact sports and organised group exercise. Communal worship was permitted from 26 March, with a maximum congregation of 50 people, after a judge ruled coronavirus regulations that forced their closure were unlawful.
From Friday 2 April Scotland’s “stay at home” order is to be replaced with “stay local” guidance.
What restrictions remain?
Garden centres, car dealerships, homeware stores and barbers and hairdressers, are sill closed but will reopen on 5 April. Libraries, museums and galleries, gyms and pools will remain shut until 26 April at the earliest.
Northern Ireland
What restrictions have been lifted? From Thursday 1 April up to six people from no more than two households can meet outdoors in a private garden. Ten people, from no more than two households, are able to participate in outdoor sporting activities.
Golf courses can also reopen, although clubhouses must remain closed. Cick-and-collect purchases are also now allowed from garden centres and plant nurseries.
What restrictions remain in place? Other restrictions including the closure of non-essential shops, indoor gyms and pools remain in place. The current regulations will be reviewed on 15 April.