Covid lockdown UK news – Boris’ roadmap update at 3pm today with new rules on schools, rule of six, shops and pubs

COPS CALL FOR ‘ABSOLUTE CLARITY’ ON NEW COVID RULES

John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, is calling on the government to absolutely clear over the future Covid regulations.

He told Sky News: “We have seen examples where we may have got things wrong because it is not easy to interpret what is legislation, what is guidance.

“There were mixed messages, there was encouragement for people when we were coming out lockdown to meet up with their friends, but legislation was still in place in some areas.”

Mr Apter added: “For today’s announcement, I plead with the prime minister just to give absolute clarity.”

‘RULE OF SIX’ TO RETURN IN MARCH

The “rule of six” will return along with new measures allowing two households totalling more than six people to meet.

Schools, socialising and some sports are set to return next month under the Government’s plan to relax coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England, the PA news agency understands.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell MPs that all pupils in all years can go back to the classroom from March 8, with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed to restart as well.

Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted in a fortnight when the rules are relaxed to allow people to sit down for a drink or picnic.

A further easing of restrictions will take place on March 29 when the school Easter holidays begin – with larger groups allowed to gather in parks and gardens.

TORY BACKBENCHERS DEMAND PM ADVANCE PUB REOPENING TO BEGINNING OF APRIL

In a boost to Tory backbenchers, who are pushing for faster moves, ex-party leader William Hague said the majority of lockdown measures should end after all the over-50s have been jabbed in April.

The former Foreign Secretary said there would not be “much justification” to continue restrictions after the vaccination of the most vulnerable.

Forty Tory MPs from the backbench Covid Recovery Group have signed a letter demanding Mr Johnson advances the opening of pubs and restaurants to the beginning of April — in time for Easter.

The group’s boss Mark Harper said: “Britain’s hospitality industry has had one of the toughest years on record and it’s vital we do everything we can to get them open in a Covid-secure way that allows them to protect jobs and operate viably.”

But last night government sources said the plea was likely to fall on deaf ears. Following a two-hour meeting of Mr Johnson’s Covid war committee yesterday, one source said: “That’s it, it’s locked in now.”

RESTRICTIONS WILL BE RELAXED FURTHER IN MAY AND JUNE

The rest of restrictions will be eased in May and June with inside mixing and drinking — with the hope of normality by July, when every adult will have been offered a Covid jab first dose.

Last night the PM said: “Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step. We will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.

“We have therefore set four key tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the plan. I’ll be setting out a roadmap to bring us out of lockdown cautiously.”

He added: “Our priority has always been getting children back into school, which we know is crucial for their education as well as their mental and physical well-being.

“And we will also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely.”

CONTINUED…

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts are also set to reopen at the end of next month.

And organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – can return from March 29.

However, Number 10 insisted that the “stay at home” message would remain in place despite the relaxation of some restrictions.

The measures form the first of four steps in the road map which the Prime Minister is set to outline in a statement to the Commons on Monday afternoon.

He has stressed the need to relax restrictions in a “cautious” manner, saying that the Government would make decisions based on the latest data at every step.

JOHNSON’S FOUR BENCHMARK TESTS

Boris Johnson is set to reveal his four-step roadmap to lift the country out of lockdown later today but his plan also has conditions attached.

The Prime Minister has also attached four conditions that must be met before any restrictions can be lifted.

These are:

• Covid cases
• Hospital admissions
• Vaccinations
• Deaths

He will reserve the right to slam the brakes on lifting lockdown if a new variant of the virus emerges.

Regional tiers have been ditched and all of England will begin the phased return to normality.

SCHOOLS, SOCIALISING AND SPORTS TO RETURN IN MARCH UNDER PM’S ROAD MAP

Schools, socialising and some sports are set to return next month under the Government’s plan to relax coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England, the PA news agency understands.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell MPs that all pupils in all years can go back to the classroom from March 8, with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed to restart as well.

Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted in a fortnight when the rules are relaxed to allow people to sit down for a drink or picnic.

A further easing of restrictions will take place on March 29 when the school Easter holidays begin – with larger groups allowed to gather in parks and gardens.

The “rule of six” will return along with new measures allowing two households totalling more than six people to meet – giving greater flexibility for families and friends.

CHANCELLOR URGED TO EXTEND BUSINESS RATES RELIEF TO SAVE THEATRES AND MUSEUMS

The Chancellor must extend temporary business rates relief to save hundreds of theatres, museums, galleries and cinemas, Labour has said.

Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed urged Rishi Sunak to give businesses “certainty” and reduce the risk of losing both jobs and cultural institutions.

He said Mr Sunak should immediately announce an extension to the policy which, Labour estimates, could save a typical property subject to business rates an average of £53,000 over six months.

The party said 1,800 theatres, museums, galleries and cinemas would benefit, as well as high streets.

Labour is also calling for the temporary 5% reduced rate of VAT for the hospitality, tourism and culture sectors to continue for another six months or until three months after the lifting of restrictions

BORIS JOHNSON WILL ‘SLAM ON BREAKS IF NEEDED’ AS HE PLANS ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN

The Prime Minister will publish storming data that shows the vaccine rollout has led directly to tumbling deaths and hospital cases.

His blueprint will see lockdown eased in four steps — with four key tests applied to each stage of the way to freedom.

Mr Johnson will warn that for each step to be taken, benchmark numbers will need to be met on:

• Covid cases
• Hospital admissions
• Vaccinations
• Deaths

He will reserve the right to slam the brakes on lifting lockdown if a new variant of the virus emerges. Regional tiers have been ditched and all of England will begin the phased return to normality.

BORIS JOHNSON’S FOUR STEPS TO FREEDOM EXPLAINED

Step One will see kids return to classrooms on March 8 and “ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely” prioritised.

Three weeks later, on March 29, the “Rule of Six” will return to parks and private gardens — allowing six people from up to six different households to mix outdoors.

If just two households come together they can meet with no cap on their size.

This means families will be meeting together in parks and gardens by Easter. But those desperate for a haircut have to wait at least seven weeks for salons to reopen.

It will be Mid-April before they are unlocked along with non-essential shops, while restaurants and pubs will be able to serve customers outdoors.