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Public reminded to keep following the rules following Government roadmap delay

The Prime Minister has confirmed there will a delay in the country moving to Step 4 of the Government roadmap, meaning that the majority of the current restrictions will remain in place for the time being.

This means that the current limits on seeing friends and family will remain in place, so the rule of six or two households indoors is permitted, including for overnight stays. Restrictions on meeting outdoors will remain, with gatherings of over 30 people remaining illegal.

Businesses

Businesses that were permitted to operate in Step 3 can remain open, including indoor hospitality businesses such as pubs and restaurants; indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas; hotels and B&Bs; and adult indoor group sports and exercise classes. Businesses in hospitality, the tourism and leisure industry, close contact services, community centres and village halls must continue to have a system in place to request and record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff for the NHS Test and Trace system, to help break the chains of transmission of coronavirus.

Indoor hospitality must continue to have COVID-secure measures in place, and businesses can only cater for groups of six people or two households. Venues do not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks; nor is there a curfew, but customers will have to order, eat and drink while seated.

Funerals and weddings

Funeral venues are allowed to decide how many mourners they can accommodate, adhering to social distancing rules, and up to 30 people are allowed to attend wakes. The number of people who can attend weddings in a COVID-Secure venue will be determined by how many people a venue can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place, including guests of all ages and anyone working at the event. Each attendee must also wear a face covering. Table service should be in place to serve guests and there are restrictions on dancing and singing.

Care homes

From 21 June all care home residents will be able to nominate an essential care giver. These essential care givers will be able to visit the care home resident, even if the resident is isolating.

In most cases, residents who go on a visit out of a care home will no longer need to isolate for 14 days when they return. Residents returning from some higher risk visits out of the care home, such as an overnight stay in hospital, will still be required to isolate. Decisions on risk will be made following a risk assessment by the care home for each visit out.

School residential visits

Also from 21 June, out-of-school settings can organise domestic residential visits for children of groups of up to 30 children. This replaces the current limit of six people or two households.

Book your two COVID-19 vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine is the fastest and safest way to protect yourself and others from coronavirus.

The vaccine rollout continues to accelerate quickly and from today (Tuesday 15 June), if you're aged 23 and over (or turn 23 before 1 July 2021), you can book your COVID-19 vaccines online. Those over the age of 40 should also have the opportunity to bring forward their second dose of the vaccine.

More information and guidance

It is expected that England will move to Step 4 on 19 July, though the data will be reviewed after two weeks in case the risks have reduced. The government will continue to monitor the data and the move to Step 4 will be confirmed one week in advance.

More information and travel advice can be found online.

Advice and guidance for local businesses can be found on our website.

Full details of the Government’s roadmap and restrictions in place can be found here.