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Change in lockdown rules to allow first travel across Britain from Monday

People in Scotland and Wales will see a number of freedoms return

Kate Ng
Sunday 25 April 2021 16:04 EDT
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Coronavirus in numbers

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Britons will be able to travel cross-country into different parts of the UK for the first time in months from Monday as coronavirus lockdown rules ease in each nation.

People will be able to travel in and out of Scotland from England and Wales once again, while restrictions on travel in and out of Wales have already been lifted.

In both England and Wales, self-contained holiday accommodation can reopen to tourists, but people can only stay with their household or bubble. Overnight stays with friends and family from other households are still not allowed.

People in Wales will also be able to enjoy a pint outdoors from tomorrow, while those living in Scotland can look forward to a host of other freedoms returning as plans to ease restrictions go forward.

Pubs, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses can offer outdoor service in Wales again, and organised outdoor activities will be permitted for up to 30 people.

Outdoor wedding receptions will also be allowed with up to 30 guests, and outdoor visitor attractions can reopen.

In Scotland, cafes, restaurants and beer gardens can also reopen, along with non-essential shops, close-contact services such as beauty parlours, gyms, swimming pools, libraries and museums.

However, hospitality venues will have to close at 8pm indoors, with alcohol only allowed to be served outside.

People will be allowed to meet others from a different household, with up to six people from two households allowed to socialise indoors in a public place.

Driving lessons and tests can resume from Monday in Scotland.

Guest allowances for weddings and funerals, including wakes and receptions, are larger in Scotland. Up to 50 guests will be permitted, with alcohol allowed.

Close-contact services such as hairdressers, outdoor visitor attractions, driving lessons and tests, and competitive sports for clubs returned in Northern Ireland from last Friday.

However, pubs and cafes will have to wait until 30 April to reopen for outdoor service. From that date, up to 15 people, including children, from no more than three households will be allowed to meet up outdoors in a private garden.

They will also be able to stay overnight in self-contained accommodation within a household or bubble from 30 April.

The next key date for England is 17 May, when most social contact rules outside may be lifted. However, gatherings of more than 30 will remain illegal.

People will be able to meet indoors in groups of six or two households, but the government has said it will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this.

Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will also reopen from 17 May. This is also in line with lockdown easing plans in Wales.

The Welsh government brought forward plans to reopen indoor supervised activities for children and exercise classes for adults from 17 May to 3 May.

From 17 May in Scotland, pubs are set to open indoors until 10.30pm and some small-scale events can take place. Cinemas, theatres, comedy clubs, amusement arcades and bingo halls can reopen, and up to four people from two households will be allowed to socialise indoors in a private home.

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