Atherstone coronavirus: Prime Minister announces roadmap to end lockdown

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (February 22) announced a roadmap to end the coronavirus restrictions in England.

The new four-step plan to ease lockdown could see all legal limits on social contact lifted by 21 June.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs the plan aimed to be "cautious but irreversible" and at every stage, decisions would be led by "data not dates".

The first stage of lockdown easing will come on March 8 as schools reopen. Two people of separate households will also be able to meet outdoors for recreation rather than exercise - for example a picnic could be allowed.

From March 29 outdoor groups of either six people or two households will be allowed, in private gardens as well as public spaces. Grassroots sport will also be allowed to resume, and outdoor sports facilities such as outdoor pools can reopen.

Non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will reopen on 12 April in England - this will include serving alcohol outdoors and theme parks.

From May 17 the 'rule of six' could be abolished for all outdoor gatherings, it will however come into affect for indoor venues such as pubs as two households will be able to mix indoors once again.

The fourth step could come into force from June 21. This would see all sectors reopened completely, including nightclubs, and all legally-imposed social distancing removed.

As stated, Mr Johnson made it clear that at each juncture there will be a consideration of infection rates and four conditions must be met before the nation progresses to the next stage.

Four conditions must be met before each stage of the lockdown easing is progressing:

- The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan

- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatment

- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions

- New variants of the virus do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions