UK: Authorities announce plan to gradually lift COVID-19-related restrictions in England from March 8 /update 55

Event

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a timetable for gradually easing domestic COVID-19 restrictions in England starting on March 8. The measures will be lifted in four stages; the precise timings could change depending on disease activity, though the beginning of each stage will be at least five weeks apart. The tentative timings are as follows:

Step One, March 8: Educational facilities will reopen for face-to-face learning. People will be permitted to meet socially outdoors with one person from a different household. From Mar 29, there will be no legal requirement to remain at home and up to six people or a maximum of two households will be permitted to meet socially outdoors.
Step Two, April 12: Nonessential businesses will reopen; pubs and restaurants will be permitted to provide outdoor services.
Step Three: May 17: Up to 30 people will be permitted to gather outside. Two different households will be permitted to meet indoors and a maximum of six people from different households permitted to meet in hospitality venues. Pubs and restaurants will be permitted to provide indoor services subject to strict social distancing and hygiene requirements. Hotels will fully reopen.
Step Four: June 21: All legal limits on social contact will be lifted; remaining venues, including nightclubs, will be permitted to reopen.

Each of the UK's constituent countries has the authority to impose travel and other restrictions, though they have typically remained closely aligned in their actions. Specific nationwide measures include a requirement that facemasks be worn in enclosed public spaces, including on public transport. Other measures include the following:

England
As of Feb. 22, the following restrictions are in effect:

All persons must remain at home except for essential work, grocery shopping, seeking medical help, and outdoor exercise once per day.
Public gatherings are prohibited.
All nonessential stores are closed.
Restaurants may open for takeout and delivery only.
Schools and colleges are limited to distance learning.

Northern Ireland
The following restrictions are in effect until at least April 1:

All persons must remain at home except for essential work, grocery shopping, seeking medical help, and outdoor exercise within 10 miles (16 km) of their accommodation.
Separate households are prohibited from mixing in private homes; a maximum of 10 people can meet in private yards.
Nonessential businesses are closed.
Pubs and restaurants may open for takeout and delivery 0600-2000.
Public gatherings are limited to six people from a maximum of two households.
Schools remain closed but will begin a phased reopening from March 8.

Scotland
The following measures are in effect in most areas:

All persons must remain at home except for essential purposes.
Outdoor gatherings are limited to two people from two different households.
Nonessential stores must remain closed.

The Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands remain under Tier 3, with the following measures applying:

Indoor gatherings of persons from different households are prohibited.
Outdoor gatherings of more than six people from two different households are prohibited.
All entertainment venues must remain closed; pubs and restaurants may stay open until 1800 for food and nonalcoholic beverage service.
Hotels are to be used for essential purposes only.
Travel between council areas is forbidden except for essential purposes.

Wales
The following measures are in effect:

All persons must remain at home except for essential work, grocery shopping, seeking medical help, and outdoor exercise.
Up to two households may form a social bubble allowing them to visit each other inside their homes.
Public gatherings are banned, except for members of the same household or support bubble.
Nonessential businesses are closed.
Restaurants may open for takeout and delivery only.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Context

The UK has embarked on a major COVID-19 vaccination program, which aims to have vaccinated all adults over the age of 50 and all people over the age of 16 with underlying health conditions by mid-April. Nationwide, health authorities have already vaccinated more than 15 million members of groups most vulnerable to the more severe effects of COVID-19 and expect that the vaccination will have provided these persons with significantly improved immunity by early March.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all domestic travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.