THE Prime Minister has announced that the next stage of lockdown easing in England can go ahead next week. 

During a press briefing this afternoon, Boris Johnson said the four tests for easing the lockdown in England met, so further relaxing of restrictions can go ahead.

It means shops, hairdressers and pub beer gardens will reopen from Monday in England but Mr Johnson added that people must not be complacent about the risks still posed by coronavirus.

Confirming the next step on the road map out of lockdown, the PM said he was looking forward to a pint of beer in a week’s time.

This means that from next Monday (April 12):

  • Non-essential shops and close-contact services such as hairdressers and barbers can reopen
  • Restaurants and pubs can start serving customers outdoors, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcohol, and no curfew.
  • However, people will have to eat and drink while seated
  • Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
  • Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation
  • Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
  • The number of care home visitors allowed will increase to two per resident
  • All children will be able to attend any indoor children's activity, including sport Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five years old) can restart indoors
  • People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise domestic travel. International holidays are still illegal.
  • Outdoor gatherings must still be limited to six people or two households and you must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with.

During today's briefing, Mr Johnson said the difficulties facing countries in Europe illustrated the risks still posed by the pandemic.

He added: "We can't be complacent. We can see the waves of sickness affecting other countries and we have seen how this story goes.

"We still don’t know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases begin to rise, as I'm afraid that they will, and that's why we are saying please get your vaccine, or your second dose, when your turn comes.

"I want to thank you all for your patience, because it is clear this is paying off.

"Our collective efforts are giving us the crucial time and space to vaccinate people.

“The net result of your efforts and of course the vaccine rollout is that I can today confirm that from Monday, we will move to step two of our road map.

"On Monday, I will be going to the pub myself and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips.”

Mr Johnson added: "We set out our roadmap and are sticking to it, and I want to stress that we see nothing in the present data that makes us think that we will have to deviate from that road map.

"But it is by being cautious, by monitoring the data at every stage and by following the rules – remembering hand, face, space, fresh air – that we hope together to make this road map to freedom irreversible."

He also encouraged people to use free NHS tests as part of the drive to identify cases without symptoms.