Buckinghamshire reacts to the roadmap out of lockdown
The roadmap could see a summer without social distancing.
Last updated 23rd Feb 2021
Businesses in Buckinghamshire have been talking to us following the latest announcement and what it means for them moving forward.
The announcement yesterday is the first step in a four-part plan, with around five weeks between each stage while the impact on the spread of the virus is assessed.
Part one - heading outdoors
The 8th March will see schools starting to return and one person being able to meet one other person from another household outside for recreation, including for a picnic or a coffee.
The 29th March will then see up to six people being allowed to meet outside, including in private gardens.
Organised outdoor sport will also be allowed from the 29th which was welcome news for Fleet Fitness owner Harriet:
"We are so disappointed to hear we are unable to run our indoor classes till May, but we are so excited that we can start to coach outside from the 29th March and reopen our doors for general gym use in April .
We can't wait to see our members and welcome new faces"
Harriet took her business online at the start of lockdown and plans to continue online classes even when her doors reopen in the April.
Part two - Hopes for hospitality & self-care
Outdoor hospitality wont re-open until step two on the 12th April.
Sven from CuriosiTEA rooms in Ivinghoe is disappointed they can't welcome people back sooner, but said they're looking forward to allowing outside dining from April:
"We're all set up for outside dining, we can't wait. We've erected a marquee so if the weather's bad people can still come and eat outside.
We've been waiting for this moment and hopefully it's the right time to be doing it and we can all try to get back to normal".
Step two of the roadmap will also see non-essential retail, including hairdressers and beauty salons reopen.
Leanne works as a freelancer hairdresser in Bucks:
"This is exciting, we have a date. The 12th April. Its still seven weeks away so a long road ahead, but there's light at the end of the tunnel"
Step three will begin on the 17th May and allow the rule of six or a larger group of up to two households to meet indoors.
Hopes for a dream wedding
The number of people at a wedding will also increase from 15 to 30.
Stacey is due to get married on the 8th May and is remaining positive following the news:
"We feel really excited and hopeful about the announcement today.
"We've changed our date three times. Originally we had June, swapped it to August and now May so were really happy if we just put it back a couple of months then we will get the wedding we originally wanted"
All legal limits on social contact, the reopening of nightclubs and restrictions on large events could be removed in step four by the 21st June.
How quickly we progress through those further lockdown easing steps depends on meeting these 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
Check out the full list of dates when lockdown restrictions will be lifted in England:
8 March: ALL pupils in England back to school
From 8 March 2021, all pupils in all year groups were allowed to go back into the classroom. Outdoor after-school sports clubs and activities were also allowed to resume.
8 March: Socialising outdoors with one other person
Two people from different households are now allowed to meet up outdoors in parks and public spaces. This means that people can sit down for a picnic or a drink, whereas previously, you could only meet someone outside your household for exercise.
29 March: Stay at Home rule liften
From 29 March, once the school Easter holidays have started, the Government will lift the stay at home rule but will continue to encourage people to stay local.
29 March: Larger group gatherings outdoors
From March 29 the "rule of six" will be re introduced alongside the the two household rule.
The "rule of six" means that up to six people from different households can meet outside.
More people will be able gather together if they are only from two households, giving greater flexibility for families and friends.
29 March: Outdoor sports facilities allowed to open
Outdoor sports facilities including tennis and basketball courts will be permitted to reopen from 29 March.
29 March: Organised adult and children's sport
Meanwhile organised adult and children's sport, such as grassroot football clubs, can also resume from March 29
29 March: Weddings with 6 people
From 29 March, weddings with 6 people will be permitted to take place. The number of guests allowed to attend weddings will increase as we move through the roadmap.
12 April: shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality venues
From 12 April at the earliest, shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions, including zoos, and outdoor hospitality venues will be permitted to reopen.
12 April: Beer gardens reopen
From 12 April, outdoor beer gardens will also be allowed to reopen.
12 April: Gyms reopen
Gyms are expected to reopen from 12 April.
17 May: Indoor mixing
From May 17 at earliest, two households or groups of up to six people can mix indoors and limited crowds will be allowed to return to sporting events. Children's play areas will be opened alongside hotels, and limited groups will be allowed in theatres.
17 May: Possible foreign travel
Foreign travel may be permitted from 17 May.
17 May: Indoor hospitality
Indoor hospitality including pubs and restaurants could reopen from 17 May.
21 June: Nightclubs could reopen
From 21 June all remaining restrictions on social distancing could be lifted, and larger events may be allowed to resume, including theatres. Nightclubs may also be allowed to reopen.
21 June: Bigger weddings
Bigger wedding celebrations may be permitted from 21 June.