Looking Ahead To Life After Lockdown

Looking Ahead To Life After Lockdown

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Looking Ahead to Life After Lockdown         

It’s been a year since Covid-19 first hit our shores, but now, finally, there is hope that with the ongoing success of the vaccine rollout, the end may just be in sight.

For now, the Stay At Home rules remain in force, with all but essential services closed, but the UK Government have set out the “roadmap” to ease restrictions in England over the coming months.

Administrations in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland will be publishing their own roadmaps for their respective nations, but are likely to broadly follow a similar plan.

English children are now back in school. But what next?

Phase One (Part Two) – 29th March 2021

Groups of up to 6 people, or two households, will be able to meet outside in social gatherings and not just for exercise. So pop those champagne corks as finally we can arrange picnics & barbeques with people outside of our own household.

Outdoor sports & recreation reopen too. Tennis clubs, golf courses, outdoor basketball, outdoor swimming pools.

Phase Two – Not Before 12th April 2021

Hospitality venues can re-open for outdoor seating only. Groups of 6 or two households will be able to celebrate together in a pub garden! It’s table service only, so no queuing at the bar, but there is no requirement for alcohol to be accompanied by a substantial meal, and normal licensing hours will apply.

Non-Essential retail reopens. Our high streets will hopefully be the thriving places they once were.

Personal Care Salons. To quote Scottish comedian Billy Connolly from his early days, many of us are looking “windswept & interesting” and desperate for the hairdressers & barbers. But it is also the nail bars, beauty salons & spa’s that can open too. Nothing like some personal pampering to lift our spirits.

Indoor Leisure facilities such as Gyms can re-open for personal or household activity. There is a bit longer to wait for group indoor sport & fitness classes.

Community Facilities such as libraries & community centres will be re-opening, although unlikely to be running the full range of activities.

Outdoor attractions, such as zoos & theme parks open for some family fun.

And finally, self-contained holiday accommodation will be available, such as caravan parks & private holiday lets. Communal facilities will however remain closed.

Phase Three – Not Before 17th May 2021

Groups of up to 6 people, or two households, will be able to meet indoors, and groups of up to 30 people will be able to meet outdoors.

Pubs & Restaurants will be finally re-opening their doors for indoor table service.

Indoor Entertainment Venues such as museums, cinemas and children’s play areas open, although overall capacity may still be limited, so pre-booking will almost certainly be essential.

Domestic holiday accommodation – UK hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and hostels open allowing us to book that much needed holiday. There are amazing destinations right here in the UK, offering something for everyone and the UK tourism industry is looking forward to welcoming us back. Need some inspiration? The official UK tourism website has plenty of ideas. www.visitbritain.com

Indoor group sport and exercise classes resume. Time to burn off those lockdown pounds!

Commemorative Events – such as weddings & funerals can now have 30 people attend.

Large Events such as conferences, sporting events, theatres and concert performances resume but with restricted entry numbers. The number of attendees is determined by overall capacity:

 Phase Four – Not Before 21st June 2021

The Government hope to remove all limits on social contact. It is likely that the key message of Hands, Face, Space will remain. Face coverings are likely to still be mandatory in public settings, and we will be encouraged to continue with hand sanitisation and keep our distance where possible.

All remaining closed settings open, including nightclubs.

All limits removed on commemorative events such as Weddings & Funerals.

Capacity restrictions for larger events may be removed.

 Just one caveat…

Of course we all hope that the vaccines continue to prove effective not just in preventing serious illness, but also in slowing transmission, and the rollout here and around the globe continues to march on at pace.

The dates shown are likely, but by no means guaranteed. We may still see some bumps in the road ahead, but we can at least begin to make tentative plans for life after lockdown.

Whatever your plans for the rest of 2021, Stay Safe, & don’t forget to book your travel with JRA Chauffeur Drive