Everything you can do from today as lockdown restriction ease
You'll be able to meet people indoors and go inside pubs and restaurants
People can now meet inside a pub or restaurant
Author: Sophie Parsons/Hannah MakepeacePublished 17th May 2021
Today marks the next step in the Government's roadmap out of lockdown, it means you'll be able to go inside people's houses when you're socialising and you will also be able to eat and drink inside pubs and restaurants.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed earlier this week that further easing of restrictions could go ahead, thanks to the low numbers of cases, hospitalisations and deaths.
But it's not all about being able to go inside, rules about holidays, museums, theatres and cinemas are among those that will change.
Indoor attractions are also among those opening up, which includes a brand new inflatable park - the biggest in the North West - in Preston.
Iain, general manager of Jump Maniax, said: "We're excited to welcome people back, get kids playing again, it's a fun course...I can speak to that myself!
"There'll be routine cleaning every hour after every session so the equipment will be wiped down or 'fogged' and we also have our hand sanitising stations too.
Jump Maniax in Preston
The park was ready to open before Christmas last year, but the announcement of a third lockdown put a pause on plans, Iain said: "The issue is as well, the overheads of the business don't stop, rents, taxes, any services we use but you still have to upkeep those payments without really any money coming into the business so when people start taking money again everyone will be happy."
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.
Everything you can do from today as lockdown restriction ease
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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.
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.
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.
The Prime Minister's announcement came after a statement from the chief medical officers around the UK confirmed that the UK would move from alert level four to alert level three, which means Covid-19 is present but that health services are not at risk of being overrun.
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