Last night Boris Johnson confirmed that Freedom Day – planned for June 21 – was being delayed by four weeks to July 19.
The Prime Minister said there was a chance that restrictions could be eased two weeks earlier, on July 5, but that this was unlikely.
However he said there would be limited easing in some areas.
Here Policy Editor DANIEL MARTIN looks at what the PM’s announcement means for you
WEDDINGS
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
It had been hoped that all limits would be removed on large gatherings such as weddings on June 21. At present, no more than 30 guests are allowed at a wedding.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
The cap of 30 has been lifted for weddings. However, the venue must abide by social distancing rules, which could limit the number who can be accommodated in a room.
Dance floors will not be allowed, and singing will be barred. Guests will have to abide by the rule of six, meaning they will have to sit on tables of no more than six or two households.
The road map said the Government hoped to reopen remaining venues, including nightclubs, on June 21. This was subject to the results of pilot events
They will have to wear masks when moving around the venue, and bars will have to abide by table service rules.
For outdoor weddings, larger gatherings are allowed. Groups over 30 will have to carry out a risk assessment.
Weddings can take place in a marquee on private land as long as two sides are open to allow ventilation.
Freedom rating: 6/10
WAKES AND CHRISTENINGS
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
It was anticipated that limits would be lifted on wakes and christenings, both of which are also limited to 30 guests. Funerals are already allowed to have more than 30 mourners.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
The limits have been lifted for wakes, with the same social distancing rules that have been announced for weddings. But christenings will remain with a limit of 30.
Freedom rating: 5/10
NIGHTCLUBS
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
The road map said the Government hoped to reopen remaining venues, including nightclubs, on June 21. This was subject to the results of pilot events.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
The reopening of nightclubs has been put back until July 19.
In the unlikely event of the Indian variant not proving as virulent as it appears to be at the moment, this could be brought forward to July 5.
Freedom rating: 0/10
PUBS AND RESTAURANTS
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
It had been hoped that all legal limits on social distancing would be lifted on June 21.
That would mean pubs and restaurants would be able to open normally – and customers would be able to wait at the bar – for the first time in more than a year.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
This promise has been scrapped – so the restrictions will remain. Venues will continue to have table service in place and most will make customers book before being able to secure a table.
Customers will have to abide by the rule of six indoors – no groups of more than six people or two households will be able to gather. Outside, groups of up to 30 will be able to congregate.
Freedom rating: 2/10
THEATRES AND EVENTS
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
The road map promised to ‘ease the restrictions’ on theatre and music events, as well as sports fixtures. At present venues must abide by social-distancing rules, limiting the numbers that can be in the crowd or the audience. Theatres, for example, are at 50 per cent capacity.
The proposed easing was subject to the outcome of pilot events through the spring and summer, and a trial of the use of testing and Covid passports to cut the risk of infection.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
This review has not yet been published – leaving event operators in limbo.
Yet more pilots will be held to enable some large sporting events to take place, such as the European football championship and Wimbledon tennis, and for some theatre productions to perform with larger audiences, but no firm commitments yet. The ten or 15 pilots will cover a mix of indoor and outdoor, and seated and non-seated events. Ministers will conduct further tests on whether Covid passports, which allow people to attend events if they have been vaccinated or have had a negative test, could be the key to helping them open up to more people.
Freedom rating: 2/10
The road map said ministers would complete a review into social distancing before the implementation of stage four
CARE HOMES
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
There was nothing specific in the road map about what would happen in residential care homes at this stage.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
At present, if care home residents leave their institution for a visit, they have to self-isolate on return for two weeks. Ministers say this requirement will be lifted from June 21. It will not apply, however, if a resident returns from a stay in hospital.
Freedom rating: 7/10
SOCIAL DISTANCING
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
The road map said ministers would complete a review into social distancing before the implementation of stage four.
It would cover the wearing of masks, whether social-distancing rules needed to continue, and how long people had to continue working from home.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
This social-distancing review has not yet been completed.
It means the advice that people should work from home unless absolutely necessary will remain. People will still be told to wear masks in shops and on public transport.
And people will still be encouraged to stand two metres away from each other.
Ministers say the review will be published before July 19.
Freedom rating: 0/10
It had been hoped that all legal limits on social distancing would be lifted on June 21. That would mean pubs and restaurants would be able to open normally – and customers would be able to wait at the bar – for the first time in more than a year.
HOLIDAYS
WHAT WERE WE EXPECTING?
According to the road map, international travel was to return on May 17, as part of step 3.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
It hasn’t worked out like that, as ministers are still saying quarantine-free travel is allowed to only a limited list of countries.
Yesterday’s announcement does nothing to change that.
Freedom rating: 0/10
