Lockdown easing could take FOUR MONTHS with rules relaxed every five weeks
England's lockdown easing could take FOUR MONTHS with restrictions eased in stages every five weeks.
Boris Johnson set out his roadmap today with the national shutdown set to be eased in four stages over the coming months.
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The gap between each stage of easing is expected to be five weeks - meaning it could be four months until lockdown is fully lifted on June 21.
For each stage of easing, four weeks will be used to analyse data on infections and the impact of the jab rollout, with one more week used to give businesses notice to reopen.
But Boris will reserve the right to slam the brakes on lifting lockdown and delay easing restrictions if a new variant of the virus emerges.
Regional tiers have been ditched and all parts of England will begin the phased return to normality together.
For stage one, the five-week countdown will start on 8 March meaning that the earliest that stage two could come into affect would be April 12.
If all goes to plan, stage three would begin May 17 and the final stage would start June 21 - four months away.
The PM vowed today his map was a "one way road to freedom" and insisted there would be no turning back.
The lockdown roadmap includes:
- Schools to return from March 8 for all pupils, and two people from different households can meet outside
- But kids will have to wear masks in classrooms at first
- From March 29 the rule of six returns outdoors and outdoor sport will resume with golf and tennis courts back open
- April 12 will see shops reopen for customers again, with hairdressers and barbers back - along with nail salons
- Brits will be able to go on a staycation with their family as the stay local rules will be lifted from the end of April
- From May, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to have indoor service again - with the rule of six or two households in place
- Gyms will then be allowed to reopen and other indoor activities
- From May two households will finally be able to mix indoors - and stay overnight
- After June it's hoped that all other restrictions on where people can go are hoped to be lifted
- Nightclubs and theatres can finally reopen - likely with rapid testing
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Last night the PM said: “Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step.
"We will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.
“We have therefore set four key tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the plan. I’ll be setting out a roadmap to bring us out of lockdown cautiously.”