Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that stage two will come into force next Monday as planned.

Speaking in a government briefing, Mr Johnson said that from Monday, April 12 England will move to step two of its roadmap for lifting lockdown.

Shops, gyms, zoos, personal care services such as hairdressers, beer gardens and outdoor hospitality venues will all be allowed to reopen, with Mr Johnson revealing that he will be going to the pub himself on Monday.

The number of people who can visit loved ones in care homes at any one time will also be increased from one to two.

Mr Johnson said: “We think this is fully justified by the data.

“But we can’t be complacent. We can see the waves of sickness affecting other countries.

“We still don’t know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases rise, which I’m afraid they will.”

As such, he urged people to get their vaccine, or second dose, when called, and to use the free NHS tests even if they didn’t feel ill.

He reminded the nation that one in three people do not have Covid symptoms when carrying the virus.

Tests can be obtained from pharmacies, local test sites or gov.uk for get home delivery.

Mr Johnson said that the government had also published its “early thinking of safe return” on gov.uk, which included the potential role of Covid certification and the resumption on international travel.

He said that currently the government was working towards its roadmap stages as planned, adding: “We see nothing in the present data that makes us think we have to deviate from that road map.”

Changes coming into force on April 12 are: 

  • non-essential retail will be able to reopen
  • personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons will be able to reopen
  • public buildings such as libraries and community centres will be able to reopen
  • outdoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen, with table service only
  • most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) will be able to reopen
  • some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds will be able to take place
  • indoor leisure and sports facilities will be able to reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble
  • all childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)
  • weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events will be able to take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens
  • self-contained accommodation will be able to open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble
  • you should continue to minimise the amount that you travel where possible
  • care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)