A handy roadmap to when lockdown restrictions will be lifted in Oxfordshire

When will lockdown restrictions be lifted in Oxfordshire?

The lockdown restrictions in Oxfordshire have begun to be lifted in line with Government guidelines, and here's what's changed so far.

• Schools and colleges have reopened, and university students can return for practical courses.
• Two people from different households can meet outside for recreation, including having coffee on a bench.
• Care home residents can have one nominated visitor with testing and social distance precautions.

Read more: Back to school on 08 March: What Oxfordshire's parents need to know

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The next set of easing of the lockdown restrictions in Oxfordshire will come into effect on 29 March as follows:

• People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the "rule of six", including in private gardens.
• The stay at home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible.
• Outdoor sports facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis and basketball courts, and formally organised outdoor sports can restart.
• Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances.

Future dates for the easing of restrictions will be a minimum of five weeks apart as follows:

No earlier than 12 April

• All shops allowed to open, along with close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauty salons (including in people's homes).
• Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.
• Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.
• Members of the same household can take a holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation.
• Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place.

Read more: Pedestrianisation and outdoor seating areas to return to city in April

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No earlier than 17 May

• People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors, and six people or two households can meet indoors.
• Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors.
• Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events, like christenings.
• The remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas, can open.
• Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children's play areas can open.
• Performances and larger events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers.
• Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen.
• International leisure travel may resume.
• Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart.

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No earlier than 21 June

• All legal limits on social contact will be removed.
• No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events.
• Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen.

Read more: An insider's guide to the best cocktail bars in Oxford

Each stage will be a minimum of five weeks apart, and four conditions must be met before proceeding from one to the next. The four conditions are that:

1. The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go according to plan.
2. Vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying or needing hospital treatment.
3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions.
4. New coronavirus variants do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions.

The post A handy roadmap to when lockdown restrictions will be lifted in Oxfordshire appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.

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