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