South Yorkshire enjoys major easing of lockdown restrictions
Hugs, indoor mixing and overnight stays are back
South Yorkshire's taken another step out of lockdown as restrictions are eased at the third stage of the roadmap.
Pubs and restaurants are allowed to serve indoors again from today and we're ok to meet in groups of six in people's houses.
We're allowed to hugs friends and family again too, although we are being urged to be cautious.
For many South Yorkshire businesses, like hotels, theatres and cinemas, the easing of lockdown means opening their doors for the first time since last Autumn.
Ian Wild's Chief Executive at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield:
"It's amazing as you can imagine. I've worked in cinemas most of my life and to be closed just feels wrong. Everybody's been frustrated that we haven't been able to show films to the public, and I think the public are missing us - we get the feeling that one of the things people are missing is going out.
"We had no income from sales for the last year. We were fortunate to receive a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund which has allowed us to keep going. So we're now looking forward to rebuilding our audience over the next six months and hopefully getting back to a point where we are self-sufficient."
Audiences in entertainment venues will have to be socially distanced for the time being and wear masks too.
But for theatres like Cast in Doncaster it's a relief to be welcoming people back this week.
Deborah Reese is the theatre's Director:
"It's quite a moment! We managed to open last year in October so we put a lot of our processes and procedures in place so we've done a lot of groundwork. But this does feel like a proper reopening - hopefully the only way is up from here."
Soft play centres are among the businesses reopening - including Treasure Island in Rotherham.
Director Simon Webb is really happy:
"It's amazing to be back - there's loads of children, we're fully booked up. Parents are happy to be here, the kids are happy to be here, and the staff are happy to be back. We've been closed a long time so it's really really good to be reopen again!"
Zoe and her son Ronnie were enjoying being back at a soft play centre...
"We're so excited. Ronnie is nearly two so he's missed out on so much. We're loving it - he's have a good play and it's nice for the owners as well - I bet it's been tough for them."
Here are some more details on what we can now do under the lockdown easing:
17th May: Indoor mixing
From 17th May, two households or groups of up to six people can mix indoors. People will be allowed to stay overnight with people out with their household or bubble.
17th May: Indoor hospitality
Indoor hospitality including pubs and restaurants can reopen from 17th May.
17th May: Cinemas reopen
Cinemas will also reopen from 17th May, along with indoor soft play areas for children.
17th May: Foreign travel
Foreign travel is permitted from 17th May.
17th May: Hugs are allowed
Boris Johnson has confirmed that we can hug our loved ones from 17th May, but experts have urged that the public should remain vigilant and think carefully about who we hug.
17th May: Indoor exercise classes
From 17th May, indoor sport and exercise classes can resume.
17th May: Museums reopen
Indoor entertainment can open from Monday, including museums.
17th May: Larger events
Some larger events including concerts, theatre performances and sporting events will be allowed to resume from Monday, but restrictions on the numbers of attendees will remain in place.
17th May: No masks in secondary schools
Pupils in secondary schools and colleges will not need to wear masks in classrooms or communal spaces from Monday.
17th May: Universities return to in-person teaching
All University students can return to in-person teaching from Monday.
17th May: 30 guests can attend weddings
Up to 30 guests can now attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events like wakes.
17th May: Care home visitors increase
Care home residents can have 5 named visitors from Monday. Two visitors will be able to visit at once provided they have tested negative. Care home residents will also be able to leave care homes without having isolate on return.