England is continuing with its coronavirus roadmap, with some restrictions being lifted on the 17th May 2021.
PM Boris Johnson announced the details in a press conference this evening after the alert level of coronavirus was dropped from 4 to 3.
The UK’s vaccination rate has been rolled out at great speed with many of the vulnerable population having both doses of the vaccine. The transmission rate and death rate continue to remain low, which enables the Prime Minister to continue along the roadmap.
This further unlocking means that people in England will be able to hug people outside their household for the first time in 15 months, but the public are urged to use common sense and not hug everyone, to prevent the transmission rates spiking. Pubs and restaurants can welcome customers back into their premises, and the number of people who can attend funerals and weddings has increased.
Cinemas, theatres, sports stadia (subject to attendance capping) and hotels will be open once more with overnight stays permitted.
Care home residents can have up to five visitors, an increase from the 2 currently allowed.
The PM said this was a return back to normality, and England was on track for the next step on 21st June.
Further information regarding social distancing will be revealed in due course.