Roadmap out of Lockdown: could this be the start of a return to normal for the UK?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his roadmap out of lockdown last night, with four steps towards getting the UK back on track – the closest we’ve been to ‘normal’ for quite some time.
It is expected that restrictions will be lifted in four stages, with five weeks between each stage, giving experts time to analyse data before the next step can be rolled out. Pupils will be able to return to school and college from March 8, and people will have the opportunity to meet one person from another household outdoors, ensuring social distancing is still being practiced.
From March 29, the Rule of Six will be welcomed back, meaning groups of six will be allowed to meet outdoors. Additionally, we will start to see outdoor sports and leisure facilities and outdoor sport for adults and children, although travel is still non-advisable.
On April 12, step two will see the return of all retail, pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms, hairdressers and outdoor attractions. Libraries and community centres will be allowed to open, while weddings and wakes will remain limited to 15 people. Domestic holidays will be permitted, but international holidays will still be off limits.
Step three will come into force from May 17, with groups of 30 allowed outdoors, and the Rule of Six indoors depending on the data analysed from step two. We will also see the return of indoor seating in pubs and restaurants, the re-opening of indoor entertainment venues, organised indoor sport and weddings with up to 30 guests. As well as this, some large indoor and outdoor events will be able to resume with limited capacity and, subject to review, international travel will also be on the cards.
And finally, step four. From June 21, any outstanding restrictions will be lifted, meaning there will be no legal limits on social contact and larger events will be able to take place with full capacity. That is, of course, subject to each step achieving a positive outcome over the course of the next few months.
It is fantastic to be able to begin to see the end of the challenging road we’ve all been on, and to see the return to normal. Here at Bridge, we’re excited to find out what this means for the Facilities Management industry! We’re now hoping industry focused events like The Facilities Show will be given the green light to open their doors to visitors again. After an uncertain year, it’s refreshing to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel, don’t you agree?