Here are the key lockdown dates coming up across the UK
Watch: How England is leaving lockdown
The UK’s vaccine supplies will be down in April, but Boris Johnson has promised this won’t affect England’s road map out of lockdown.
“Our progress along the road to freedom continues unchecked,” he proclaimed at Thursday’s Downing Street press conference after it emerged fewer coronavirus vaccines will be available.
“We remain on track to reclaim the things we love, to see our families and friends again, to return to our local pubs, our gyms and sports facilities and of course our shops.”
In that spirit, Yahoo News UK will take you through the key lockdown dates coming up across the UK’s four nations.
England
Boris Johnson set out his road map on 22 February, with stage one having already started on 8 March. It saw schools reopen and people allowed to socialise outdoors with someone from a different household.
As part of stage one, there will be a further easing on 29 March, when up to six people, or two households, will be permitted to meet outdoors.
In the second stage, on 12 April at the earliest, the government plans to allow the likes of shops, hairdressers, nail salons, gyms, outdoor attractions, libraries and community centres to reopen.
Pubs and restaurants would also open outdoors – with no curfew and no requirement for alcohol to be accompanied by a "substantial meal", as was the case in the winter.
In the third stage, on 17 May at the earliest, two households or groups of up to six people will be allowed to mix indoors, and limited crowds will be allowed at sporting events.
Pubs and restaurants will open indoors, as well as entertainment venues such as cinemas and theatres. Hotels would also reopen, as well as sports stadiums subject to capacity limits.
Then, in the fourth stage on 21 June, the government aims to have "removed all legal limits on social contact": including on weddings and other life events, opening the final closed sectors of the economy such as nightclubs, and lifting restrictions on large events and performances.
Scotland
On Tuesday, first minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a detailed timeline for easing Scotland’s lockdown.
Key upcoming dates include:
5 April, when hairdressers and barbers can reopen for pre-booked appointments; click-and-collect shopping will be allowed; university and college students can return; and outdoor contact sports for 12 to 17-year olds can resume
12 April, when all pupils will return to school full-time, having returned part-time on Monday
26 April, when up to six people from three households can meet outdoors; up to four people from two households can socialise indoors in a public place such as a cafe; hospitality venues like cafes, pubs and restaurants can open until 8pm indoors – but without alcohol – and 10pm outdoors where alcohol is allowed to be consumed; gyms can open for individual exercise; funerals and weddings including post-funeral events and receptions can take place with up to 50 people, but with no alcohol; and public buildings such as galleries, museums and libraries can open
17 May, when up to four people from two households can socialise indoors; hospitality venues can open and sell alcohol indoors until 10.30pm or outdoors until 10pm; outdoor adult contact sport and indoor group exercise can restart; cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls can open; small-scale outdoor and indoor events can resume subject to capacity constraints
'Early June', when six people from up to three households can socialise indoors; up to eight people from three households may socialise outdoors; attendance at events can increase, subject to capacity constraints; and the numbers of guests at weddings, funerals and in places of worship may be able to increase
Wales
On Friday afternoon, the Welsh government published an updated control plan, saying the Kent variant of the virus – which caused the UK's winter crisis of record infections, hospital admissions and deaths – means ministers must adopt a “more cautious approach” to lifting lockdown restrictions.
From 22 March, shops that are currently open will be able to sell non-essential items, while garden centres will be able to reopen.
Next week, ministers will confirm if the conditions allow for Wales’ stay local requirement to be lifted from 27 March.
From that date, self-contained accommodation could reopen, organised outdoor children’s activities could resume, libraries could open, along with some historic attractions and gardens.
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On 12 April, there could be a full return to schools, colleges and other education, while all shops could reopen and close contact services could resume.
Ministers will then consider from 22 April whether gyms, leisure and fitness facilities can open, as well as outdoor attractions, outdoor hospitality, weddings, community centres, and whether organised activities and extended households can resume.
First minister Mark Drakeford said: “The pandemic is not over. Spring and summer give us hope of more freedom, as rates of infection fall and more people are vaccinated.
“We can’t rush the process of relaxing restrictions and risk a resurgence of the virus.”
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s first minister Arlene Foster outlined a series of "cautious but optimistic" relaxations of lockdown on Tuesday.
Key upcoming dates include:
1 April, when up to six people from two households can meet outdoors in a private garden; 10 people from no more than two households can participate in outdoor sporting activities; and click-and-collect purchases are allowed from garden centres
12 April, when up to 10 people from two households can meet outdoors in a private garden; click-and-collect at all non-essential shops will be allowed; while sports training can resume for up to 15 people
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