Covid-19: Significant easing of restrictions from 25 May
Capacity limits will be raised to 150 people and the mask and two-metre rules will be relaxed. Capacity limits for swimming pools, ski areas, campsites and museums will be lifted, as will those for gyms, although a maximum of 150 people will be allowed in each room.
Capacity limits will be raised to 150 people and the mask and two-metre rules will be relaxed. Capacity limits for swimming pools, ski areas, campsites and museums will be lifted, as will those for gyms, although a maximum of 150 people will be allowed per room. The maximum number of spectators or guests at seated events will increase from 150 to 300 people per health-protection zone, and catering during breaks will be permitted. Restaurants will be able to extend their opening hours until 11 p.m. In shops, the requirement to wear a face mask will be lifted and the rule limiting the number of customers to 200 will be repealed. This is the main outline of the easing of public health measures which will come into effect from 25 May, following a decision by the Minister of Health and in line with the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer. The regulation for these changes will be in force until 16 June.
See the announcement on the website of the Cabinet Office.
The Chief Medical Officer says in his memorandum to the minister that although few infections have been detected recently, the coronavirus has not yet been eradicated from the community. Therefore, easing of restrictions must be approached with caution until vaccination has become more widespread, so that around 60–70% of the population (about 220,000) has received at least one dose. It is expected that this target will be met in the latter half of June.
Key changes coming into effect on 25 May:
The main changes that will come into effect on 25 May are outlined here. Please note that the current rules on the registration of guests and customers will continue to apply unchanged.
- General mass restrictions from 50 to 150 people. Children born in 2015 will remain exempt.
- Rule of proximity: A two-metre social distancing rule will remain the general rule, except in restaurants, at seated events, in schools, and at swimming pools and bathing facilities, where the distance will be one metre.
- Face mask requirement: The requirement to wear a face covering will be eased and will, for example, be lifted in shops and workplaces. A face covering will only be required at seated events, such as theatre performances, film screenings, church services, sporting events and the like. Masks must also be worn for services that require close contact, e.g. in hairdressers, massage parlours and similar situations. Healthcare institutions may impose stricter requirements for the use of masks.
- Swimming pools, campsites, ski resorts and museums allow opening to the maximum number of guests permitted by the operating licence, instead of the previous requirement of 75%.
- Gyms open at 50% of the permitted maximum capacity, instead of 75%, but with a maximum of 150 people per room.
- Seated events: The maximum number of spectators per bubble increases from 150 to 300. Catering, including wine service, is permitted during the interval. Face coverings are mandatory.
- Shops: There will be no maximum number of customers in shops instead of 200 people. However, the rule on the number of customers per square metre will remain.
- Restaurants: Restaurants' opening hours are extended by one hour, from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Guests must have left the premises by midnight. School activities: The regulation on restrictions for school activities is repealed. Instead, general rules on gathering restrictions apply to school activities.