England Lockdown Eased to Allow Outdoor Meet-Ups

Women walk among blossoming trees in Battersea Park in London, on March 28, 2021. Hollie Adams/Getty Images

Groups of six people or two households are now allowed to meet outside in England as the CCP virus lockdown rules are eased.

The “Stay at Home” rule ends on Monday, allowing outdoor sports facilities such as tennis courts, golf courses, and open air swimming pools to reopen.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson reminded the public that many restrictions remain in place, and many businesses are still closed.

“You should continue to work from home if you can, and minimise travel, avoiding the busiest times and routes,” he said in a video message posted on Twitter.

“You won’t be able to go abroad on holiday yet, because we don’t want people to bring back new variants of the virus when they return.”

He said the government’s roadmap out of the lockdown is intended to “ease restrictions cautiously” and “it’s vital that we don’t overdo it and risk all the progress we’ve made.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also called on the public to continue to exercise caution.

“I know the last few months have been challenging, and many people are excited to be able see friends and family outdoors for the first time in months,” he said in a statement.

“As we see from rising cases in Europe, this virus still poses a very real threat,” he said. “Let’s take this next step safely, when you meet others do so outdoors, and keep a safe distance.”

The government is urging the public not to be tempted to meet indoors.

Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said: “Thanks to the efforts of the public we have reduced the number of cases and deaths, but the virus is still in circulation.

“The evidence is very clear that outdoor spaces are safer than indoors. It is important to remember this as we move into the next phase.”

The ongoing England-wide CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus lockdown began in early January, when the government said a more transmissible CCP virus variant was spreading rapidly in the country.

On Feb. 22, Johnson announced the government’s lockdown exit roadmap. As the first step under the plan, schools reopened on March 8 to all pupils.

Non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality will reopen on April 12 at the earliest. From May 17, pubs and restaurants can open indoors, and cinemas and hotels will also reopen.

If all goes well, all legal limits on social contact will possibly be removed from June 21 at the earliest, according to the roadmap.