When can I meet family and friends? The dates lockdown measures could be eased

Seven weeks into the third national lockdown, Boris Johnson has outlined the timeline to easing restrictions – including when people could be reunited with family and friends.
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Speaking at the House of Commons, the Prime Minister outlined the ‘one-way road to freedom’ and the provisional dates for when families and friends may be reunited.

What are the rules now?

As part of the lockdown restrictions you must not meet socially or carry out any activities with another person either indoors or outdoors unless they are part of your social bubble.

Two households or six people can meet up outdoors from April 12Two households or six people can meet up outdoors from April 12
Two households or six people can meet up outdoors from April 12
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Currently one person can meet another person from a different household outdoors for exercise.

The other exceptions are detailed at the bottom of this article.

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When will the rules on meeting first be eased?

From March 8, one person can meet another person from a different household for purposes not limited to exercise – such as meeting for a coffee on a park bench or to have a picnic.

Every care home resident will be able to nominate a named visitor able to see them regularly provided they’re tested and wear PPE.

When can I meet more than one other person?

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From March 29, the rule of six returns for those meeting outdoors – this includes in a public space or private garden. Two families from different households are also able to meet.

When can family and friends meet indoors?

By Step Three of the Government’s planned outline, which will be no earlier than May 17, most restrictions on meeting outdoors will be lifted – subject to a limit of 30.

Families and friends will also be able to meet indoors subject to the rule of six or two family households.

But all of this is still in the future, what are the current rules on meeting friends and family?

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In general, you must not meet socially or carry out any activities with another person, the government has said.

*Meeting socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble is not allowed

*You cannot meet people in a private garden, unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them.

*Members of the public can ONLY visit people in their support bubbles, or to provide informal childcare for children aged 13 and under as part of a childcare bubble.

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*You can exercise outdoors with people from your household, support bubble or one other person from another household.

*The rules allow people to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice and hospitals.