Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, welcomes the news that more restrictions have been eased in the latest steps of the Government’s roadmap.
As infection rates and hospital admissions have continued to decrease with the success of the vaccine rollout, the Government announced that planned easements at Step 3 of the Roadmap were safe to proceed with. Infection rates are currently at their lowest since September.
This means that the majority of the indoor and remaining outdoor economy can reopen. Indoor hospitality can now reopen, with restaurants, cafes and pubs able to serve customers indoors, and indoor entertainment is now able to open – including cinemas, museums and children’s indoor play areas. 6 people or 2 households are now permitted to meet indoors and groups of 30 are now able to meet outdoors. Indoor exercise classes can now go ahead, as well as organised adult sport and spa facilities like steam rooms and saunas can reopen.
Face coverings are no longer needed in classrooms or for students in communal areas in secondary schools or colleges, although twice weekly home testing will remain in place. University students are able to return to in-person teaching.
Outdoor entertainment is now all able to reopen – including outdoor performances and cinemas – and some larger events will be able to take place, including theatre performances and conferences.
Up to 30 people are now allowed to attend weddings and wedding receptions, as well as funerals and wakes. 30 people are able to attend a support group or parent and child group, with the number limit not applying to children under 5.
Care home residents can have up to five named visitors, with two people visiting at once provided they have been tested. Residents are also able to leave their homes with more freedom.
The Stay in the UK restriction has also been lifted, with people able to travel to green list countries (providing inbound travel is permitted).
This follows the news that more than 20 million adults have now received both doses of their coronavirus vaccine. You can read more about this here.
Commenting, Richard said:
“It is absolutely fantastic that the four tests for easing restrictions have been met, and that many of the restrictions have today been lifted. I am simply delighted that the vaccine rollout has been such a huge success and that we have taken another huge step towards a return to normality.
“Restrictions have now been eased for indoor hospitality, which is welcome news for millions across the country and, crucially, restrictions on visiting care homes and meeting with friends and loved ones have also been lifted. It is welcome news that the sacrifices so many people have made over the past year have paid off.
“I urge all of you to continue to be safe and sensible and to abide by the current guidelines. The Government and the UK's top scientists will continue to monitor the data as these restrictions are lifted and we move towards Step 4 of the Government's Roadmap. If you would like any clarification over the lifting of these restrictions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office."
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