This week the Prime Minister has set out the Government’s roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions in England – a cautious but optimistic path to the summer and to what we hope we will be the irreversible end of lockdown. This is truly exciting. We are the first major country in the world to set out a plan to end restrictions – and we can do so because of our world leading vaccine programme.
First, the schools will return on 8 March. Then, on 29 March, there will be a slight relaxation to allow people to meet subject to the Rule of Six outside, outdoor sport and leisure facilities reopen. An Easter of BBQs beckons.
Next, on 12 April, indoor leisure, including gyms, will open, as will outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas. Libraries and community centres will reopen. Barbers and hairdressers will finally be allowed to cut and crop once more. All retail will resume. Outdoor hospitality – beer gardens and al fresco dining will come back online. Households will be able to go on holiday (but not yet stay with other households). And small weddings (15 people) and funerals (30 people) will be allowed.
Then, on 17 May, all being well, indoor entertainment (cinemas and bowling alleys and the like), overnight stays with other families, hotels and B&Bs, some large events with restrictions, and – maybe – international travel.
Last, on 21 June, everything else. Nightclubs, huge events, the lot.
These are all “no earlier than” dates. They rely on the vaccine rollout continuing to hit its targets, on the vaccines continuing to work, and on people coming forward to get their jabs. But the signs are good if everyone plays their part.
Some people will find the above too cautious. As Government scientists explained at the start of week, the five-week pauses are needed at each stage to give us the data showing exactly how each set of changes affect the infection rate, the hospitalisation rate and the death rate.
Just this week surge testing is being carried out in Brentwood’s CM13 postcode area after an isolated case of the South African Variant was identified. There’s no cause for alarm but do make use of the testing as advised to keep us on track with virus control.
This strategy will not completely destroy Covid. Covid will most likely be with us – as flu is – forever. But because of our vaccine programme we will be able to live with it, and we will be able to keep most people safe from it. There may still be bumps in the road, there may be still be unexpected twists and turns – but thanks to everyone’s extraordinary work and patience, we now have a roadmap.
