Everyone across Mid Sussex has continued to show incredible patience, while still making significant, daily sacrifices, as we progress on our Roadmap out of Lockdown. I know everyone (including me) was relieved to hear the Prime Minister yesterday confirm we can go ahead with the Step 3 easing of restrictions on 17th May. This is only thanks to the efforts of all of us across the UK, as well as our recording-breaking vaccination programme.
From 17th May, the majority of the indoor and remaining outdoor economy can reopen following the Rule of Six or two households, and gathering limits will increase indoors and outdoors. Guidance for close contact between friends and family will be updated, with people exercising their own personal judgement in line with the risks, and the Stay in the UK restriction will be lifted and people will be able to travel to green list countries.
The following will be allowed from next Monday:
- Rule of Six (or two households) will apply indoors
- Outdoor gatherings will increase to 30
- You can sit inside a pub and restaurant in groups of 6 (two households max)
- Cinemas, theatres, concert halls and business conference centres will reopen
- Hostels, hotels, and B&Bs will reopen
- Sports stadiums can start welcoming back fans (subject to capacity limits)
- Everyone will be able to travel within the UK and stay overnight – meaning schools can organise trips with overnight stays
- New overseas travel rules will begin - https://www.mimsdavies.org.uk/news/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-inter…
- Face coverings in classrooms or communal areas will no longer be required
- All remaining University students will be able to return to in-person teaching, where they should be tested twice a week
- The number of named visitors for those in care homes will increase from two to five
- Care home residents will have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return
I’m so pleased and proud we’re able to make this huge step back towards normality, and we remain well on track to move to Step 4 on June 21st. It’s important that we must continue to remain cautious, remember hands, face, space and fresh air so we do not risk a resurgence of the virus – particularly with a number of ‘variants of concern’ currently in the UK. More information can be found here: (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Finally, as we mark Mental Health Awareness week, remember to take a moment to check in on friends and family, even something as simple as a text can make the world of difference.