Planned step 3 easements will go ahead 17 May
Here's what you can do after May 17. For more information go to the Government Website
From Monday 17 May indoor hospitality can reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas.
Up to 6 people or 2 households will be able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors.
All remaining outdoor entertainment can reopen, such as outdoor cinemas and performances. Some larger events will be able to take place, including conferences, theatre and concert performances, and sports events. Restrictions on the number of attendees will remain as set out in the Roadmap.
The public can make informed, personal decisions on close contact, such as hugging, with their friends and family. COVID-secure rules remain for the workplace and businesses, such as in shops and hospitality.
The Transport Secretary has confirmed that international travel can begin to safely reopen from 17 May, allowing people to go on foreign holidays to ‘green’ list countries. Strict border control measures will remain in place.
Face coverings will no longer be needed in classrooms or for students in communal areas in secondary schools and colleges. Twice weekly home testing will remain to control infection rates.
All remaining university students will be eligible to return to in-person teaching and learning from May 17, and should get tested twice a week upon return.
Up to 30 people will now be able to attend weddings, receptions, and commemorative events including wakes, as well as standalone life-cycle events. These can take place outdoors or at any indoor Covid secure venue that is permitted to open.
30 people will be able to attend a support group or parent and child group. The limit will not apply to children under 5.
Organised adult sport and exercise classes can resume indoors and saunas and steam rooms may reopen.
Care homes residents will be able to have up to five named visitors, with two visitors able to attend at once provided they are tested and follow infection control measures. Residents will also have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return.
The successful vaccination rollout continues, with over 35 million people receiving at least one dose, and nearly 18 million receiving both doses. One quarter of all adults have now received the strongest protection available.
The latest data shows that the estimated reduction in symptomatic disease is 60% and hospitalisations 80% for one dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged 80 and over. Data published by PHE today estimates that for the over 80s, two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalisation by 93%.
Step 4 is due to take place no earlier than 21 June. Further detail on Step 4 will be set out at the end of the month
Financial Support
For updated information, check the Government Website.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) has been extended until 30 September 2021 with employees in any part of the UK receiving 80% of their current salary up to £2500 for hours not worked and further economic support announced. Find out about how the scheme changes in July 2021 Here. In addition, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will be extended until 30 September 2021. You may be eligible if you submitted a tax return for the 2019 to 2020 tax year.
If you are on furlough, find information here.
If you are self-employed and getting less or no work, find information here.
If you are employed but cannot work, find information here.
If you are unemployed and lost your job due to coronavirus, find information here.
Employers small or large, charitable or non-profit are eligible and because more businesses will need to close, they will now be asked to pay just National Insurance and Pensions contributions for their staff during the furlough period – making this more generous than support currently on offer. If you are an employer find more information about employer contributions to the CJRS here.
Depending on your national Insurance record you may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance. If you are ill or have a health condition or a disability that limits your ability to work you may be eligible for ESA. Find more information below.
Testing
You will be able to get a free PCR test to check if you have the coronavirus. You can either order PCR test kit to be sent to your home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site.
You can also order a rapid lateral flow test if you have no symptoms or for some reason you are not eligible for a PCR test.
If you are not sure about different types of Covid-19 tests, you can find out which test you should get.
The Government has expanded testing so that any adult over 18 without symptoms can get tested.
- From now, everyone in England in eligible for free rapid Covid-19 tests, twice a week.
- This new expansion of testing, made possible due to rapidly increasing testing capacity, will help protect our most vulnerable, our healthcare staff and keep people safe.