England is taking its first big step out of lockdown with the return of outdoor family get-togethers and sport, but with a warning that Covid-19 remains a serious threat.
The “stay at home” order will end on Monday, releasing relatives and friends to reunite in groups of to six people – including in private gardens – in time for the Easter weekend.
Organised outdoor team sports will resume, with swimming pools tennis and basketball courts allowed to reopen, amid optimism about falling hospitalisation and death rates.
Boris Johnson is hailing the prospect of a “Great British summer of sport”, with frustrated people able to “resume the activities they love”.
“I know how much people have missed the camaraderie and competition of organised sport, and how difficult it has been to restrict physical activities – especially for children,” the prime minister said.
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But he added: “We must remain cautious, with cases rising across Europe and new variants threatening our vaccine rollout.
“Despite today’s easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules, remember hands, face, space, and come forward for a vaccine when called.”
The changes are the first major milestone on the roadmap set out in late February, although sitting down for a drink or picnic with one other person from outside one’s household was allowed from 8 March.
But – to the frustration of many Tory MPs – eaters and drinkers will have to wait until 12 April for pubs and restaurants to open – for outdoor customers only.
Hairdressers, gyms, public buildings including libraries and community centres, theme parks and non-essential shops will also reopen on that date – provided the virus remains under control.
Self-contained accommodation, such as campsites and holiday lets, will also be allowed, as long as no indoor facilities are shared with other households.
Despite both Mr Johnson and Rishi Sunak pushing for a return to the office soon, people are still being urged to work from home if they can and minimise journeys.
Travel abroad remains banned, with prospects for a return of foreign holidays from the middle of May – the third step on the roadmap – fading fast, as Covid cases leap across Europe.
Nevertheless, the boss of Sport England also hailed a “vital milestone as many people can get back to the sports and activities they have missed so much”.
“The fact organised sport is one of the first things to reopen underlines its importance to our health and wellbeing,” Tim Hollingsworth said.
“We’ve all worked together to get to this point and now we must focus on rebuilding activity levels and making sure we do all we can, so that everyone can benefit from the joy that being active brings.”
To help larger families – who fell foul of a strict limit of six people mixing – the return of outdoor gatherings will also see two households of any size allowed to meet up.
Further lockdown easing will depend on passing four tests: no slowdown of vaccinations, that jabs reduce hospitalisations and deaths, that the NHS will not be overwhelmed and that new dangerous variants do not take root.
