Lockdown set to ease from the 8th March, according to Boris Johnson’s

announcement on Monday evening.

Government have announced the introduction of a four-step plan to ease England’s lockdown which will begin to roll out on 8th March with all schools opening, including after-school sports and activities. In addition, two people will be able to meet in outdoor public spaces.

By the 29th March, it is hoped that outdoor gatherings of six people or two households will be allowed, which will include meeting in private gardens.

The four-step plan comes after the first set of data for the UK’s coronavirus vaccine suggested it had “reduced the danger of Covid”.

In his speech, Boris described the plan as a “one-way road to freedom” but added that they could not guarantee it would be irreversible “but the intention is that it should be”. If the vaccine rollout continues to be successful, we could see shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality reopening on 12th April.

If the public continue to stick to the rules, two households could be allowed to mix in homes, and the rule of six could apply in places like pubs from 17th May.

It was announced that four conditions would determine if each stage were to go ahead:

The vaccine programme continues to go to plan.

Evidence and data shows vaccines are reducing deaths and those requiring hospital treatment.

Infection rates do not risk surge in hospital admissions.

New variants are not found and risk the lifting of restrictions.

The Prime Minister told MPs the plan aimed to be “cautious but irreversible”, adding that at every stage, decisions would be led by “data not dates”.

Each stage will have a five week gap to allow for the impact of changes on infection rates. Government will continue to access the hospital admissions and the success of the vaccine at each stage.

If the plan is deemed successful, all legal limitations on social contact will be removed by the 21st June with all closed sectors of the economy reopening.