Everything you can do from 12th April as lockdown restrictions ease
Pubs and restaurants will be able to serve people outside and non-essential retail will make a comeback
Last updated 20th Apr 2021
Monday 12th April will see another step towards normality in England as more Covid-19 restrictions are eased to allow pubs and restaurants to serve people outside and non-essential retail to resume.
On Easter Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that England was on track to meet the next target date in the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.
The changes are part of the second step of the Government's four step plan to ease lockdown, and will permit many businesses to reopen including hair salons, gyms and non-essential shops.
Pubs and restaurants will also be allowed to serve customers outdoors, after months of closures or services limited to takeaway.
It comes two weeks after restrictions were eased to allow two households or six individuals to meet up outside, the resumption of organised sport and the reopening of outdoor sports grounds like tennis courts.
Here are all the rules changing on 12th April:
Hairdressers and nail salons can reopen
From 12th April, personal care premises including hairdressers and beauty and nail salons will be permitted to reopen.
Outdoor hospitality resumes
From 12th April, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors. There will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although you must order via table service.
Non-essential retail will resume
Non-essential retail can resume from 12th April.
Gyms reopen
Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms can reopen from 12th April (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups). Spas will also reopen, but saunas and steam rooms will remain closed until stage 3.
Self contained accommodation
Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets where indoor facilities are not shared with other households can also reopen in Step 2 of lockdown easing, taking place on the 12th April.
Driving lessons will resume
From 12th April driving lessons will be allowed to resume, as will theory tests, motorcycle lessons, lorry lessons and tests, car and trailer tests and minibus lessons and tests. Driving tests will restart from 22nd April.
Public buildings will reopen
Public buildings including libraries and community centres will also be allowed to reopen from 12th April.
Outdoor attractions will reopen
Outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks and outdoor cinemas can reopen from 12th April.
Two care home visitors per resident
Each care home resident will be allowed two designated visitors from 12th April instead of one.
More guests at weddings and funerals
Up to 15 guests can attend weddings, outdoor receptions and commemorative events including wakes from 12th April. Meanwhile, up to 30 people can attend funerals.
So far the Government has been able to meet their planned target dates thanks in part to the successful vaccine rollout across the UK.
The coming months will see the lifting of further restrictions up until 21st June when the Government aims to have removed almost all restrictions on social distancing.
However, whether or not the Government achieves their target dates depends on four tests:
- The success of the vaccine rollout
- Evidence of vaccine efficacy
- An assessment of new variants
- Keeping infection rates below a level that could put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
When might other restrictions be lifted?
21st June: Nightclubs could reopen
STEP FOUR: From 21st June all remaining restrictions on social distancing could be lifted, and larger events may be allowed to resume. Nightclubs may also be allowed to reopen.
21st June: Bigger weddings
STEP FOUR: Bigger wedding celebrations may be permitted from 21st June.
21st June: Mass events
STEP FOUR: If all restrictions on social distancing are lifted on 21st June, mass events including concerts and festivals will be allowed to resume.