The Prime Minister has today (Monday) announced a four stage plan to ease coronavirus restrictions in England.

Mr Johnson delivered a statement in the House of Commons earlier.

He is also due to deliver a public statement tonight at 7pm.

Watch live and get live updates. Follow our blog here...

Earlier, Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that each stage of the easing or restrictions would be led by the success of the vaccine programme and its reduction of hospitalisations and deaths, pressure on the NHS and the impact of any new variants.

Here is what we now know about what will happen - and when...

Step one: 

Isle of Wight County Press:

  • All pupils in all year groups go back to the classroom from March 8.
  • Secondary and college pupils advised to wear masks if social distancing cannot be maintained, including in the classroom.
  • Twice-weekly voluntary testing for pupils.
  • University students to return, in some cases only, if they cannot learn from home.
  • Outdoor after-school sports and activities will restart.
  • From March 8, we will be permitted to have socially distanced one-to-one meetings with others outdoors in a public space (which means friends and family members could sit down for a coffee or have a picnic in the park).
  • From March 8, care home residents will be allowed a single named visitor. That person will need to take a lateral flow test and wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Exercise with one other person outdoors.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Other university students are expected to return after Easter.

Meanwhile, there will be access to tests to use twice weekly at home for all staff at private, voluntary and independent nurseries.

Childminders can continue to access community testing.

From March 29:

  • Larger groups will gather in parks and gardens (rule of six - meaning up to six people or two households will be able to meet outdoors).
  • The “stay at home” order change to “stay local”.
  • Outdoor sports facilities (tennis and basketball courts) to reopen at the end of March.
  • Return of some organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football.

Step two:

Isle of Wight County Press:

From April 12 at the earliest..

 

  • Non-essential retail, personal care (hairdressers, nail salons) to reopen.
  • Libraries and museums to reopen.
  • Some leisure facilities and swimming pools will be permitted to reopen with social distancing.
  • Only a household may visit a museum, or exercise in a gym etc.
  • Outdoor hospitality venues to open: Restaurants and pubs to serve customers outside, rule of six, or two households, will apply.
  • No requirement for a substantial meal and curfews.
  • Self-contained accommodation, such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, will also be able to reopen for overnight stays by households only.
  • Funerals for up to 30 people.
  • At weddings receptions and wakes, guests will rise from six to 15.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Step three:

From May 17 at the earliest... 

  • Outdoors, the rule of six and two household requirement will be lifted.
  • Gatherings of more than 30 people in parks and gardens will still be banned.
  • Up to six people, or a larger group from up to two households, could be permitted to meet indoors.
  • Indoor pubs and restaurants top open (rule of six/ two households apply).
  • Entertainment venues (cinemas ect) and children’s play areas to reopen.
  • Larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues (capacity of 1,000 people or half-full, whichever is lower) will be allowed.
  • Outdoor events allowed (4,000 people or half-full, whichever is lower).
  • Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals, and other life events will be permitted, such as bar mitzvahs and christenings.
  • Organised indoor sport for adults.
  • Supporters could be back in outdoor seated venues for outdoor sports.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Step four:

From June 21 at the earliest...

  • Final closed sectors of the economy to reopen.
  • Restrictions on large events could also be eased.