Covid easing gathers pace

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EASING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ACROSS THE UK IS GATHERING PACE AS THE PROSPECT OF A RETURN TO SOME FORM OF NORMALITY DRAWS CLOSER

Following a series of announcements from leaders across the UK, lockdown rules are set to be eased further across much of the UK from Monday 17.

In England and Scotland, hospitality venues will be able to serve customers indoors, and social distancing will be relaxed another notch. Pubs will also be able to serve indoors in Wales.

Groups of up to 30 people can meet outdoors in England from Monday while six people or two households can meet indoors, with overnight stays allowed. Social distancing with close family and friends will be “a matter of personal judgement” although social distancing will remain in place in retail, hospitality and business settings. Face coverings will still be required in stores.

It is hoped that all legal limits on social contact will be lifted by 21 June. Most of mainland Scotland moves to level two on Monday which allows up to six people from three households mix indoors. Social distancing will no longer be required in homes and private gardens and up to six people from three households can meet in an indoor public place. Hospitality venues can serve alcohol indoors until 10.30pm.

In Wales, hospitality venues can open indoors from Monday and up to six people from different households will be able to meet there. People who do not live together will, however, have to maintain a two-metre social distance.