Two households could meet in the park or potentially each other’s gardens (Picture: Getty Images)
Two households will be allowed to socialise outside by Easter under Boris Johnson’s ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown, according to No 10 sources.
Outdoor mixing in parks and potentially people’s gardens is expected to be legal again by Good Friday on April 2.
The Prime Minister’s Covid Operation’s Committee are set to meet tomorrow to finalise the plan for easing restrictions, before being signed off by the cabinet and revealed on Monday afternoon.
It is also thought the ‘rule of six’ for outdoor gatherings is being considered, which would allow half a dozen people from multiple households to meet, but this hasn’t been confirmed.
A senior Government source told the Sun that letting two households meet up was a ‘recognition of how tough these last few weeks and months have been’.
When pubs and restaurants could open is still up in the air, as the PM looks over infections data over the weekend.
Sources say the ‘rule of six’ is also being discussed, but nothing has been confirmed (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
However previous reports of the ‘blueprint’ being considered by ministers suggest pubs, bars and restaurants will have to wait until early May to begin serving customers, with a maximum of two households allowed to sit together indoors and the rule of six applying outside.
The next stage, in early June, would see the rule of six extended indoors, with the hospitality and domestic holiday industries allowed to return to normal in July, but with social distancing measures in place.
Meanwhile sources say barbers and hairdressers may not be able to open until late April at least.
Beauty salons and anywhere requiring more close contact might have to wait even longer.
The Prime Minister is set to officially unveil his plans on Monday afternoon, with his first and top priority being to reopen schools from March 8.
However teaching unions have hit back and said the reopening may need to be ‘staggered’ in order to allow for Covid testing.
It is thought office workers will not be told to go back to work as measures are gradually eased bit by bit.
Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told BBC Breakfast that the PM would set out his plan ‘in as much detail as he is able’.
He added: ‘But we cannot give guarantees, because that is not how viruses work. Ultimately we want to open up society, the economy, as much as we are able, but only on the condition that it is safe to do so.’
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