England has adopted a 4-step plan to lift the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Step 1 – reopening of schools – already applied from March 8. Before proceeding to the next step, the authorities check the effects produced by the relaxations already adopted, so that these gradual steps will occur at intervals of 5 weeks.

In addition to reopening schools, in Step 1 there will be some more relaxation measures:

• Starting March 29, group meetings of 6 people from two different families will be allowed, including in private courtyards.
• Outdoor sports fields (tennis, basketball) will reopen.
• The “Stay Home” restriction is lifted, although many other restrictions remain in place. For example, if you can, continue to work from home and travel abroad is not allowed, except for a small number of reasons.

Step 2 (not earlier than April 12)

• Small shops, beauty salons, public buildings (libraries, community centers) are reopening.
• Outdoor recreation areas (zoos, theme parks) are reopening, but with the maintenance of distance rules. Cinemas and other drive-in shows are reopening as well.
• Fitness rooms, indoor pools reopen, but access will be allowed only individually or for members of the same family.
• The premises can only serve customers outside.
• Accommodation that allows customers to manage without interacting with others can be reopened.
• Funerals can take place in the presence of up to 30 people, and weddings, receptions and other commemorative events can be organized with up to 15 people (from 6 so far).

Step 3 (not earlier than May 17)

• Restrictions on outdoor social contacts will be lifted, although gatherings of more than 30 people remain banned.
• Cinemas and open-air theaters can reopen. Inside, the rule of 6 people from two families remains in force.
• Accommodation, hotels, restaurants, indoor playgrounds, gyms and exercise rooms for adults are reopening.
• Shows or sporting events can be organized in halls with a maximum of 1,000 spectators or half full (the lower value is taken into account).
• Shows or sporting events can be organized on outdoor fields with a maximum of 4,000 spectators or half the capacity of the grandstands (lower value is taken into account).
• Larger gatherings are allowed in stadiums, for 10,000 spectators or a quarter of the stadium’s capacity (the lower value is taken into account).
• The number of participants in weddings, baptisms, funerals and other events is 30.

Step 4 (not earlier than June 21)

• It is hoped that all restrictions on social contacts can be lifted.
• It is hoped that the nightclubs will reopen and that restrictions will be lifted on the events with many spectators from Step 3.
• The same goes for weddings and other important life events.

Meanwhile, the vaccination campaign continues, it is hoped that by the end of July all adults will receive at least the first dose.

The government hopes that the protection provided by vaccines will be able to gradually replace the restrictions.

The steps listed above have been announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.