WORCESTERSHIRE’s pubs and restaurants can be fully reopened next Monday (May 17th), Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced.
At a press conference on Downing Street last hour, Mr Johnson confirmed that England would reach stage three on the government’s coronavirus roadmap.
In addition to indoor hospitality, weddings, funerals, receptions and guards can welcome 30 guests starting Monday.
Galleries, theaters, cinemas, and soft play centers can also reopen while maintaining coronavirus restrictions such as social distancing.
The Prime Minister said all remaining accommodations, including hotels, hostels and B & Bs, will be able to reopen from Monday.
Domestic overnight stays are permitted in groups of up to six people or two households. 30 people can take part in a self-help group or a group of parents and children. The limit does not apply to children under the age of five.
Nursing home visits are further simplified as residents can have up to five named visitors and greater freedom to conduct low-risk visits outside the home.
People can meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 people and indoors in groups of up to six people or as two households.
“I have to ask you to continue pursuing social distancing when you are not with friends or family,” the prime minister said.
“We have to stay vigilant, this is the biggest step on our roadmap.”
Infection rates among students and staff continue to decline in the country’s schools, which means that as of Monday, face covering will no longer be recommended in classrooms or in common areas of secondary schools and colleges.
Home tests are done twice a week to check infection rates.
All remaining university students can again teach and study in person and should be tested twice a week upon their return.
All legal restrictions on social contact have been lifted through June 21, provided government conditions such as continued immunizations, decreased infection rates due to the vaccine, and no significant concerns about variability in infection are met.
When asked about the possible lifting of all restrictions, Mr. Johnson said, “We’ll wait and provide more details and guidance on what exactly we mean by ending social distancing later this month.”