THE next stage of lockdown easing will take place from next Monday, May 17.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the news at a press conference this afternoon.

The changes mean people can hug relatives, but people should consider the vulnerabilities of loved ones.

From May 17:

  • People will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to 30.
  • People will be able to meet indoors in groups of six, or two households. You can also stay overnight at another house
  • People will be able to make their own choices on hugging others
  • Pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors, although they will be limited to table service.
  • Cinemas, museums, theatres and concert halls will be allowed to reopen although there will be capacity limits on large events.
  • The "stay in the UK" restriction will lift and people will be able to travel to "green list" countries, such as Portugal although they are still being advised not to go to destinations on the amber list.
  • Up to 30 people will be allowed at weddings, although dancing will still not be allowed, and the cap on the number of mourners attending funerals will be lifted, in line with the safe capacity of the venue.
  • Secondary school pupils will no longer be told to wear face masks in class and communal areas.
  • Up to five nominated people will be able to visit residents in care homes

The easing of restrictions came after the UK's senior medics said the threat level should be lowered from "level 4" to "level 3", means that the epidemic is in general circulation, but transmission of the virus is no longer deemed to be high or rising exponentially.

In a statement, the chief medical officers of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, said: "Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the UK chief medical officers and NHS England national medical director agree that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 3.

"Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently.

"However, Covid is still circulating with people catching and spreading the virus every day so we all need to continue to be vigilant.

"This remains a major pandemic globally.

"It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered it."

The UK Covid-19 threat level has not been below level 3 since the start of the pandemic and the last time it was at this level was mid September 2020.

The threat level was raised to its highest level, level 5, on January 4 when officials raised concerns the NHS was at risk of being "overwhelmed".

It was downgraded to level 4 in February.