England’s roadmap out of lockdown restrictions has so far continued as planned, with the nation maintaining its steady progress towards normal.
The most significant step so far came on Monday April 12th, when non-essential stores welcomed customers, gyms reopened and independent holidays resumed.
This was also the date when pubs and restaurants were finally allowed to reopen – but they are still only allowed to serve customers outside of the city.
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Great UK weather doesn’t always lend itself to outdoor dining, however, and many restaurants don’t have enough outdoor space to be worth opening – this is where you can eat again indoors.
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What are the May 17th Covid rules? How the lockdown is lifting and what to do in the next step on the roadmap
When will you be able to eat in restaurants again?
Under current rules, restaurants and pubs can serve customers in groups of up to six (or two households) outdoors.
Food and drink must be ordered seated (table service for you and me), although the government has abandoned the requirement that people order a substantial meal in order to have an alcoholic drink and there is no curfew.
The roadmap says the hospitality industry can begin serving customers indoors from step three, which goes into effect Monday, May 17.
At this point, the indoor six / two household rule will apply, and the current rules will extend in terms of table service and with no restrictions on essential meals or indoor curfews.
The government also ruled out the introduction of Covid passes to gain access to pubs, restaurants and cafes when they reopen indoors.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Economy Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “We didn’t need them [Covid passports] to open pub gardens on April 12th. We won’t need them to go to pubs or restaurants on May 17th. “
The rules for outdoor gatherings will also be relaxed. Groups with multiple households of up to 30 people are allowed. This also applies to beer gardens and outdoor dining areas for pubs and restaurants.
The table service rules and the six rule apply when indoor restaurants are open (Photo: Getty Images).
What are the next steps on the lockdown roadmap?
Each step of the lockdown roadmap is at least five weeks apart and needs to be reviewed.
Before confirming the progress of the next stage, the government reviews the data to assess the impact of the previous step using four tests.
These tests are:
- The vaccine delivery program continues successfully
- There is evidence that vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospital stays and deaths among those vaccinated
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions that would not put sustained pressure on the NHS
- The government’s assessment of the risks will not be fundamentally changed by new, worrying variants
However, so far the roadmap has been smooth and Covid cases remain stable in England.
If this trend continues, the next restrictions will be relaxed as follows:
step 3 – – From May 17th
- The rules of the six will take effect indoors
- Indoor seating can be resumed in pubs and restaurants
- Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and theaters can be reopened
- Domestic overnight stays can be resumed
- Organized indoor adult sport can begin again
- Weddings and other “major life events” can accommodate up to 30 people
- Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as B. Performances, can be resumed
- Remaining tourist accommodation can be reopened
- International travel will resume under the traffic light system (subject to review).
Step 4 – – From June 21st
- Larger events can continue
- Night clubs can reopen
- No legal limits for social contact