Summary of the Government’s COVID-19 Response Spring 2021 (the “Roadmap”)

Coronavirus / 22 February 2021

On 22 February 2021, the Government published its COVID-19 Response Spring 2021 (the “Roadmap”) setting out the roadmap of the current lockdown for England. We summarise the key “Steps” below.

The Prime Minister has advocated a “cautious but irreversible” approach to lifting the current lockdown restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The efforts of the British public to comply with the current rules and the vaccination roll-out programme have resulted in a proposed roadmap out of lockdown for England. For the most part, the dates are provisional and will be based on data and the “Four Tests” including:

Test 1 – The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.

Test 2 – Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.

Test 3 – Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Test 4 – The Government’s assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern.

Assuming these tests are satisfied, here is a summary of the roadmap, “Four Steps” and provisional dates.

Step 1

8 March 2021

—  Schools and colleges are open for all students.
—  Recreation or exercise outdoors with household or one other person.
—  General stay at home order remains in force subject to support bubble exceptions.
—  Funerals (max. 30 people) and weddings (max. 6 people)

29 March 2021

—  Rule of 6 or two households outdoors. No multiple household mixing indoors.
—  Outdoor sport and leisure facilities can open.
—  Organised outdoor sport allowed (adults and children).
—  Minimise travel and no holidays.

Step 2

At least 5 weeks after Step 1, no earlier than 12 April 2021

—  Indoor leisure (including gyms) open for use individually or within household groups.
—  Rule of 6 or two households outdoors. No multiple household mixing indoors.
—  Outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas can re-open.
—  Libraries and community centres can re-open.
—  Personal care premises can re-open.
—  All retail can re-open.
—  Outdoor hospitality can re-open.
—  Domestic overnight stays (household only).
—  Self-contained accommodation (household only).
—  Funerals (max. 30 people) and weddings (max. 15 people).
—  Minimise travel. No international holidays.

Step 3

At least 5 weeks after Step 2, no earlier than 17 May 2021

—  Indoor entertainment and attractions can re-open.
—  30 person limit to meet outdoors. Rule of 6 or two households can meet indoors (subject to review).
—  Domestic overnight stays.
—  Organised indoor adult sport.
—  Life events max. 30 people.
—  Remaining outdoor entertainment (including performances).
—  Remaining accommodation, including bed and breakfasts.
—  Some large events (subject to capacity limits).
—  International travel (subject to review).

Step 4

At least 5 weeks after Step 3, no earlier than 21 June 2021

—  No legal limits on social contact.
—  Nightclubs can re-open.
—  Larger events.
—  No legal limits on life events.

These steps provide individuals and businesses with some clarity in terms of time-scales and also allow businesses time to prepare to re-mobilise post-lockdown. There are many steps you can start taking now to ensure you are ready to re-open safely. Kathryn Gilbertson, our Regulatory expert, will provide further, more specific updates about re-mobilisation in the next few weeks. If you have any urgent questions, please get in touch.