Despite the increasing spread of the Indian variant, Step 3 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown will happen on Monday, 17th May. Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors will be able to reopen as part of Lockdown easing. In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place and businesses may not cater for groups bigger than the legal limits. Indoor hospitality can reopen – and as in Step 2, venues will not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks; nor will there be a curfew. Customers will, however, have to order, eat and drink while seated.
Other indoor locations to open up in Step 3 include indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas; the rest of the accommodation sector, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs; and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes. The government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number). In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).
Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings.
The final stage of the Roadmap, with the government hoping to lift all legal limits on social contact, is currently still scheduled to go ahead on 21st June, but the Prime Minister has recently warned that this could be reviewed in light of the spread of the Covid-19 Indian variant. We will have to wait and see how that plays out.
The latest official Government guidance can be found here.