Boris Johnson announces stage two of 'roadmap' lifting restrictions will go ahead on 12 April

Date published: 06 April 2021

The next stage of relaxing lockdown restrictions begins next Monday (12 April), with more restrictions due to be lifted next month, and then every five weeks going forward.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Monday 5 April to confirm that step two of the government’s ‘roadmap’ will take effect on 12 April when shops, gyms, hairdressers and beauty salons can reopen.

The number of visitors permitted to visit care home residents will increase to two per resident from 12 April, and all children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity.

Hospitality venues will be able to open for outdoor service, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcohol, and no curfew.

However, there are no changes to the social contact rules (brought in on 29 March) and many restrictions are still in place. Outdoor gatherings are still limited to six people or two households and meeting up indoors with anyone you do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with is not yet permitted - this will not be permitted until 17 May at the earliest.

Mr Johnson said: “I know that over this weekend millions of people have been able to see loved ones for the first time in months.

“And I want to thank you all again for your patience, because it is really clear now that this is paying off.

“And it is your collective efforts, our collective efforts, that has given us that crucial time and space to vaccinate more than 31 million people.

“And the net result of your efforts and the vaccine roll-out is that I can today confirm that from Monday 12th April, we will move to Step Two of our roadmap - re-opening shops, gyms, zoos, holiday campsites, personal care services like hairdressers and, of course, beer gardens and outdoor hospitality of all kinds.”

Overnight stays away from home in England will be permitted from 12 April and self-contained accommodation can also reopen, though must only be used by members of the same household or support bubble.

People should continue to work from home where they can, and minimise domestic travel where they can. International holidays are still illegal.

Full lists of businesses and venues permitted to reopen on 12 April

Outdoor areas at hospitality venues (cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, social clubs, including in member’s clubs) can reopen, including for takeaway alcohol. These venues may allow customers to use toilets located inside. At any premises serving alcohol, customers will be required to order, be served and eat/drink while seated.

Non-essential retail including:

• clothing stores and tailors
• charity and antique shops
• homeware and carpet stores
• showrooms (such as for vehicles as well as kitchens and bathrooms)
• electronic goods and mobile phone shops
• florists
• travel agents
• tobacco and vape stores
• betting shops (subject to additional Covid-secure measures, such as limiting the use of gaming machines)
• car washes

Personal care facilities and close contact services including:

• hair, beauty and nail salons
• body and skin piercing services
• tattoo studios
• spas and massage centres (except for steam rooms and saunas)
• holistic therapy (including acupuncture, homeopathy, and reflexology)
• tanning salons

Indoor sports and leisure facilities including:

• gyms and leisure centres
• sports courts
• swimming pools
• dance studios and fitness centres
• driving and shooting ranges
• riding arenas
• archery venues
• climbing wall centres

Step-by-step plan to ease restrictions in England

Details of the future steps are as expected:

Step three - Six people or two households will be permitted to meet indoors and most restrictions on meeting outdoors will be lifted. Pubs and restaurants will reopen indoors as well as cinemas, children's activity centres, hotels, theatres and sports stadiums.

This step will be implemented no earlier than 17 May, subject to review.

Step four - Aim to remove all legal limits on social contact including on weddings and other life events. Also this is where restrictions could be lifted on large events and performances, using testing to reduce the risk of infection.

This step will be implemented no earlier than 21 June, subject to review.