Coronavirus: These are the changes coming into force on Monday, June 1 as Government relaxes lockdown restrictions

As the country prepares to move into the next stage of coronavirus lockdown measures – with further restrictions being eased from Monday, June 1 – we take a look at the changes coming into force and what will happen next.
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At the daily Downing Street press conference on Thursday, May 28 Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out a number of changes to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, some of which will come into force from Monday, June 1.

This followed an earlier announcement about the reopening of non-essential retailers in a fortnight (on Monday, June 15) and plans to reopen schools for early years, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 children from this Monday.

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According to Government guidance, these are the changes coming into force from tomorrow.

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Family and friends

From tomorrow, up six people will be permitted to meet outside, with those from different households ordered to ‘strictly observe’ social distancing measures and remain two metres apart at all times.

These meetings are allowed to take place in parks and public places and – for the first time since lockdown began – in gardens and other private outdoor spaces.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street. Picture: Getty Images.Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street. Picture: Getty Images.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street. Picture: Getty Images.

Mr Johnson said these long-awaited changes will allow family and friends to see their loved ones; but added that people should try to avoid meeting others from ‘too many households’ in quick succession.

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He added: “And it remains the case that people should not be inside the homes of their friends and families, unless it is to access the garden.”

Shielding and the extremely vulnerable

It was announced late on Saturday, May 30 that those who have been shielding from coronavirus will be allowed to leave their homes and go outside for the first time from this Monday.

People enjoy the sunshine in London on Saturday May 30 ahead of the coming into force of the first significant easing of Britain's lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: AFP via Getty Images.People enjoy the sunshine in London on Saturday May 30 ahead of the coming into force of the first significant easing of Britain's lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: AFP via Getty Images.
People enjoy the sunshine in London on Saturday May 30 ahead of the coming into force of the first significant easing of Britain's lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: AFP via Getty Images.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick is expected to detail full guidance for the 2.2 million ‘shielded’ people at the Downing Street briefing on Sunday, May 31.

So far, the Government has confirmed that those who are shielding can leave their homes to go outside with those within their household, maintaining strict social detailing as set out by the guidelines.

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Those who live alone and are shielding will be allowed to meet one person from another household while outdoors, giving them much-missed contact as some have been alone since shielding began in March.

The Prime Minister said on Saturday: “We have been looking at how we can make life easier for our most vulnerable, so today I am happy to confirm that those who are shielding will be able to spend time outside with someone else, observing social distance guidelines.”

This was a swift change from Mr Johnson’s statement at Thursday’s briefing, which paid tribute to the efforts of the extremely vulnerable group as they remained at home – but urged that they ‘continue to do so’.

At Thursday’s briefing, he added: “We are looking carefully at how we can make your life easier, and how we can better support you, and we want to say more on that soon.”

Schools

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Some early years settings and Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes in primary schools will start welcoming children back to the classroom on Monday, June 1.

A fortnight later (June 15), the Government plans that secondary schools will be able to provide some ‘face-to-face’ contact for Years 10 and 12.

Mr Johnson added: “Closing schools has deprived children of their education, and as so often it is the most disadvantaged pupils who risk being hardest hit.”

Shops

Outdoor retail and car showrooms have been given permission to open from Monday, with other non-essential retail scheduled to open in a fortnight on Monday, June 15.

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IKEA is among retailers reopening a number of stores from June 1, including its North East branch in Gateshead.

Mr Johnson warned businesses that reopening would only go ahead ‘if the five test are still being met’ and if shops have been made Covid secure.

Speaking at the briefing on Thursday, Mr Johnson reminded families that all of these changes above would be ‘conditional’ on the data and scientific advise provided to the Government.

He said: “These adjustments are most of those we set out to achieve in step two of our roadmap, and we have also been able to have them in place by June 1 as we had hoped.

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“There is no doubt that we are making progress and I am hopeful that in the coming weeks we may be able to do more.

“Because obviously while protecting the health and safety of the British public is, and must always be, our number one priority, we must also work to restart our economy and society - so as many people as possible can begin returning to their way of life.

“But I want to reaffirm that fundamental commitment to the British people that all the steps we have taken, and will take, are conditional.

“They are conditional on all the data, and all the scientific advice, and it is that scientific advice which will help us to judge what we are doing is safe.”

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