BRITS will get their first taste of freedom this year from today as the government ditches its ‘stay at home’ message.
The easing of lockdown restrictions sees the Rule of Six return and life start to feel normal once more.
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Kids have already gone back to school and the next phase of Boris Johnson’s plan to unlock the UK begins today.
From today, friends and families can meet outdoors in groups of up to six.
Some team sports are also permitted and small weddings can go ahead.
What else can you do from March 29?
Outdoor meet-ups
Today, the Rule of Six is back on, allowing six people or fewer – or two households – to mix outdoors.
This means even small gatherings in private gardens are permitted.
It comes just in time for Easter over the April 4 weekend – when there is meant to be glorious sunshine.
However, Brits should continue to follow social distancing guidelines.
Sports
Outdoor team sports and activities, such as tennis and golf, also return from today, with people able to head to their local sports clubs again.
Tennis and basketball courts are allowed to reopen, along with open-air swimming pools.
And in further good news for sporting fans, Brits can start taking part in formally organised outdoor sports events like amateur football leagues.
But indoor facilities like gyms won’t be open until at least April 12.
Loo-phole
Brits can visit family and friends in private gardens as lockdown eases today as the prime minister ditches the ‘stay at home’ rule.
Under the new guidelines, people can also meet as two households in public spaces or gardens as the government makes it easier for friends and family to get together over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
And Brits can even go inside other people’s homes – but only briefly to use the toilet, get a drink or walk through to the garden.
The same rule will apply to toilets when pub gardens reopen in April.
There are still rules in place though. People must socially distance from one another, and meeting indoors is still banned.
Travel
As the ‘stay at home’ message is ditched from today, Brits are simply told to “minimise travel”.
It means the public are advised to meet up with friends and family locally – but it’s not illegal to travel to see relatives outdoors further afield.
Sadly, travel abroad is still not allowed, other than for a small number of reasons.
Anyone trying to leave the UK “without a reasonable excuse” will be fined £5,000.
Weddings
Under the new rules, small weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted.
Up to six people can be in attendance – and events are no longer limited to “exceptional circumstances”.
Receptions are not permitted.
However, small gatherings can take place in line with social contact limits.
So celebrations can take place outdoors in a group of six, or two households (including support bubbles, if eligible to form one).
Parent and children groups
Outdoor parent and child groups can resume from today.
A maximum of 15 people, not counting those aged under five, are permitted to meet for outdoor activities.
For example, people can socialise in parent and child walking groups.
What you can’t do
Indoors facilities like gyms won’t be open until at least April 12.
April 12 will see the first major easing of restrictions with, non-essential shops and hairdressers to reopen and restrictions on people’s travel will be further relaxed.
Hairdressers will also be open by April 12, along with zoos and theme parks.
People desperate for a pint will have to wait until then – but a loophole means pubs without a beer garden will still be able to open to serve pints to thirsty Brits.
Downing Street confirmed punters will be able to enjoy a drink at venues without a garden because they can be served in any outdoor area, such as a carpark.
Boris Johnson yesterday insisted vaccine passports might not come in until AFTER everyone has been offered a jab – and the plans won’t stop pubs opening outside in April as planned.
And a few weeks later, on May 17, many indoor restrictions are expected to be lifted.
All restrictions are expected to be lifted by June 21.
