The Prime Minister announced this evening that the UK's coronavirus alert level has been lowered from four to three on the advice of experts. Covid restrictions will therefore continue to from Monday 17th May.
Nationally, there were no Covid-related recorded deaths in England yesterday for the first time since March last year. In the week prior to 6th May, there were only 24 cases of Covid-19 detected in North Hertfordshire, and only 11 in St Albans District.
Some of the key changes:
MEETING UP
From next week, social distancing with close family and friends will be a matter of personal judgement. But people are asked to remain cautious.
Social distancing will remain in place in social care, medical, retail, hospitality and business settings.
People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors.
Six people or two households can meet indoors, with overnight stays allowed.
Up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions and other life events (please note that we are still waiting for guidance about weddings which I am challenging with government).
The number of people who can attend a funeral no longer capped, but determined by the size of venue.
Up to 30 allowed to attend a support group or parent-and-child group (not counting under fives).
Care home residents allowed up to five named visitors, and more freedom for visits out of the home.
LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT
Pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to open INDOORS.
Indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas and children's play areas can open.
Theatres, concert halls, conference centres and sports stadiums can all reopen.
Organised adult sports and exercise classes can restart indoors.
Steam rooms and saunas may reopen.
Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen.
EDUCATION
Face coverings no longer recommended in secondary schools for pupils.
All remaining university students eligible to return to in-person teaching.
TRAVEL
People will be able to travel abroad to green list countries. This was announced the other day and you can see the list here: https://www.gov.uk/.../red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for...
The full guidance is here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
If you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact me on bim.afolami.mp@parliament.uk
