Monday is a bank holiday, which has no effect whatsoever on what the Covid-19 rules are.
But the good news is the current stage of the roadmap will allow people to make the most of the chilly, probably rainy weather and spend some time in a park or beer garden with friends.
Cloud and rain are expected to move from Scotland across the rest of the country as April draws to a close.
And sadly, you still can’t go for a beer inside a pub, or gather inside friends’ homes – so Brits will be zipping up their big coats and braving the elements.
Or alternatively, just staying at home and watching Line of Duty.
Here’s what will be open on Monday
From April 12, the following reopened:
Additionally, parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five years old) can restart indoors.
The number of care home visitors also increased to two per resident.
And all children are able to attend any indoor children’s activity, including sport – though soft play facilities will remain closed until step 3.
You don’t have to order a ‘substantial meal’ to get a drink in a beer garden
No. Hospitality venues are able to open for outdoor service, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcohol, and no curfew.
But the requirement to eat and drink while seated remains – including when ordering.
And social contact rules continue to apply, with outdoor gatherings still limited to 6 people or 2 households.
The rules of weddings changed in April
Weddings, outdoor receptions, and commemorative events including wakes are now be able to take place with up to 15 attendees.
The limit on attendees at a funeral remains at 30.
You still can’t go on holiday abroad
It’s still illegal to go abroad on holiday.
The earliest this will change is May 17.
You can meet friends and family in gardens, but not indoors
The rule of six returned in March, allowing people to meet up with another household or up to five friends or family members outside.
The maximum is either two households, or six people – whichever is the larger number of people.
You can have a picnic in the park in a group of six or pop to a friend’s garden for a drink.
Downing Street confirmed in March that visitors will be allowed to nip into the house to use their bathroom or walk through to get to their garden for a picnic or a drink.
You can’t hug
Despite being able to meet outdoors, people are being warned not to hug people who aren’t in their household or bubble.
You should maintain two-metre social distancing where possible with family and friends, or one metre with mitigations.
This rule is only due to be reviewed ahead of May 17, when many more Brits will have had a first dose of the vaccine.
What are the lockdown roadmap dates?
Step 1 (part one) – March 8
- Schools and colleges reopened
- Two people can meet up outside
- Care home residents can have one nominated visitor, with testing and social distance precautions
Step 1 (part two) – March 29
- Up to six people – or two households – can meet outside
- Team sports resume and outdoor sports facilities reopen
- The stay at home rule ends
Step 2 – after April 12
Step 3 – after May 17
Step 4 – after June 21
- All restrictions on social contact will be lifted
- Last remaining venues like nightclubs can reopen
What are the four tests for easing lockdown?
The Government has listed four tests that need to be passed each time to proceed to the next step of the lockdown roadmap – which is why the dates are provisional.
These are:
- The vaccine rollout is going to plan
- Vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing deaths and hospitalisations
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions
- There are no new coronavirus variants causing concern