It’s good news that we have a set of dates, and a clear 4 step plan out of lockdown, but it is still a long way off for some businesses, who have been closed for a long time now.
We also have the Chancellor’s Budget update from 3 March 2021, which explains how this 4 step plan will be funded.
The following 4 step plan will be reviewed regularly, and does depend on certain criteria continuing to be met.
**UPDATE 14 JUNE 2021**
The 4th stage of lockdown easing was due to happen on 21 June 2021.
Step 1:
8 March 2021
- Schools, colleges and after-schools clubs re-opening
- You can meet one person from outside your household
- Care home residents can nominate a named visitor, as long as they’re tested and wear PPE
- You should still stay at home
29 March 2021: This coincides with the Easter school break
- Rule of 6 will returns, including private gardens
- You can meet up to 6 people or 2 households outdoors
- Outdoor sports facilities can reopen, and formally organised outdoor sports
- Stay at Home order ends, but you should work from home if you can
Step 2:
12 April 2021
- The following businesses can re-open:
- Non essential retail
- Hair and beauty, tattoo parlours
- Indoor leisure
- Holiday lettings (self-contained accommodation)
- Zoos, public libraries, theme parks
- Hospitality can re-open outdoors only
- No requirement for alcohol to be accompanied by a “substantial meal”
- Zoos, public libraries, theme parks
- Up to 30 people can attend funerals, only 15 for weddings, wakes etc
Step 3:
17 May 2021
- Most outdoor social contact rules will be lifted
- But limit of 30 on meeting outdoors
- You can meeting indoors but the rule of 6 will apply
- Pubs, restaurants and hotels can re-open indoors
- Also cinemas, theatres, sports stadia
- The largest outdoor seated venues can have up to 10,000 people
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions, wakes and funerals
Step 4:
**UPDATE 14 JUNE 2021**
The 4th stage of lockdown easing was due to happen on 21 June 2021.
- Today Senior Ministers have signed off on a delay of 4 weeks to stage 4
- This means that capacity limits on pubs, restaurants and cinemas will remain in force, and nightclubs will stay shut.
- Weddings and wakes will be able to continue with more than 30 people though.
New date: 19 July 2021
- All limits hopefully eased
- Nightclubs can re-open
- Restrictions for large events at step 3 should be lifted but using testing
What you can do now
- It’s great to have dates to work towards, but do bear in mind that these may still change.
- In some cases it’s still a long time to be closed, so we urge you to look at your finances, look at your cash, and how long it will last.
- If you do have budgets and forecasts set for the year ahead, do these need reviewing?
- Look after yours and your loved ones’ health and wellbeing
- Can we help? Do get in touch if we can help you to make a plan.
What about financial support?
- We are expecting updates on new financial support to be announced in the Budget on 3 March 2021.
- We’ll be live updating our private Small Biz Facebook page on the day
- Register for our Budget Update Zoom on Monday 8 March 2021.
