THE next stage of lockdown easing comes into effect today, but people are urged to be cautious and abide by the latest Public Health guidance.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for a "heavy dose of caution" as indoor socialising and physical contact resumed against the backdrop of concerns over the Indian coronavirus variant.

He added that “now everyone must play their part” as England pushed ahead with the third stage of the road map out of lockdown.

From today: 

  • Hugs and other physical contact between households are permitted for the first time since restrictions began more than a year ago.
  • People can meet friends and family indoors again – with a maximum of six people, or two households.
  • Children of all ages count towards the rule of six.
  • Restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to serve people indoors again, with the same restrictions on numbers in place (a maximum of six people or two households).
  • Other indoor venues such as cinemas, children’s play areas, and hotels are also allowed to re-open.
  • At indoor hospitality venues, customers will need to order, eat and drink while seated in order to help reduce the risk of Covid-19.
  • The decision to reopen nightclubs and large-scale events has not yet been made, and will be based on evidence around coronavirus rates at a later date.
  • Restrictions on socialising outdoors have been realaxed, meaning that up to 30 people will be able to mix outside.
  • Football, sports and arts fans will also be able to attend outdoor events, with limited numbers in place depending on capacity.

Public health advice remains the same:

  • Use face coverings and remain socially distanced when required 
  • Get tested regularly and especially if you feel unwell and take up the offer of a vaccine when your opportunity comes

Merseyside Police's head of local policing Matt Boyle said: "We know that many people will be looking forward to the latest stage of the Covid roadmap - it's a real step forward, and it will be a relief to no longer have to rely on British weather in order to meet up with people.

"It's also an important time to support local businesses, some of which have been closed or operating at limited capacity since the pandemic started.

"But the recent surge in coronavirus cases locally is a timely warning for us all, and I hope it reminds people not to get complacent.

"Higher numbers of cases will likely put more pressure on local public services, put lives at risk, and jeopardise Merseyside’s progress out of lockdown.

"Alongside our partners, we have an extensive policing plan in place to support businesses, give advice, and help keep everyone safe, and will be ensuring venues and customers are following the rules at all times.

"Officers will also be stepping up patrols in busy town centres and outdoor areas.

"We want people to remember that Covid-19 still poses a risk to public health and the NHS.

"In order to get to Step four of the roadmap – hopefully on June 21 – we will need to be continuing in the right direction.

"This means respecting the rule of six, social distancing, and wearing a mask where required to help keep coronavirus cases down.

"We all need to play our part and work together.

"I'd like to thank local businesses and the hospitality sector for all of the safety measures they continue to follow in order to keep people safe.

"A huge thank you also goes to the general public, whose support has undoubtedly helped us get to this point."

Wirral Globe:

(PA Graphics)

Matthew Ashton, director of public health at Liverpool City Council, said: "It's concerning that in parts of Liverpool City Region and in other parts of the North West, cases of Covid-19 are rising again.

"I'm confident that it is possible to enjoy the benefits of our new freedoms, whilst not being complacent and still acting responsibly.

"Covid-19 hasn't gone away and there is always the potential for infection rates to rise rapidly.

"The Government may have relaxed the rules, but we need to keep our own local situation in mind if we want to avoid further lockdowns later down the line.

"So please stick to the rules, remember to use face coverings and remain socially distanced when required, get tested regularly and especially if you feel unwell, and take up the offer of a vaccine when your opportunity comes."

The Government's Spring 2021 Covid-19 roadmap out of lockdown can be found at gov.uk.

But the measures were eased as top scientists called for caution and warned of a “perilous moment”, with the Indian variant feared to be as much as 50% more transmissible than the Kent strain.

In a statement, Mr Johnson said: “Together we have reached another milestone in our road map out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution.

“We are keeping the spread of the variant first identified in India under close observation and taking swift action where infection rates are rising.

“But now everyone must play their part – by getting tested twice a week, coming forward for your vaccine when called and remembering hands, face, space and fresh air”.

Ministers are hoping surge testing and vaccines will allow a safe opening up of the nation, with jabs due to be extended to the over-35s this week.

But Health Secretary Matt Hancock did not rule out the possibility of imposing local lockdowns in areas such as Bolton to tackle the Indian variant, which he warned could “spread like wildfire”.

He said there are more than 1,300 cases of the Indian variant of concern, which is “relatively widespread in small numbers” and is becoming “the dominant strain” in Bolton and Blackburn.

But offering good news over plans to ease restrictions without unleashing a fresh wave of infections and deaths, Mr Hancock said there is "new very early data" from Oxford University giving confidence that existing vaccines work against the variant.

“That means that we can stay on course with our strategy of using the vaccine to deal with the pandemic and opening up carefully and cautiously, but we do need to be really very vigilant to the spread of the disease,” he told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday.

“We have a high degree of confidence that the vaccine will overcome.”

The easing came after official figures showed more than 20 million people have received both vaccine doses, covering more than 38% of UK adults, while more than 69% had received at least one.

Sir John Bell, Oxford’s regius professor of medicine, said the result of lab experiments investigating whether the vaccine neutralises the Indian variant "looks OK".

"It's not perfect, but it’s not catastrophically bad," he told Times Radio, adding there is only “a slight reduction in the ability to neutralise the virus”.

The Health Secretary said there had been no known deaths from the Indian variant in Bolton of somebody who has received both jabs.

Five people have been in hospital with it after receiving their first vaccine dose, while one person who had received both doses had been admitted “but that person was frail”, Mr Hancock told The Andrew Marr Show.

Mr Johnson has warned the Indian variant could jeopardise plans to end legal restrictions on June 21.