England’s Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are being eased slightly, more than three months after the country was plunged into its third national lockdown.
From Monday, six people — or two households — can meet outdoors to socialise while maintaining social distancing.
Outdoors sports and leisure activities such as football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts and outdoor swimming pools will reopen. Organised team sport can also resume.
Prime minister Boris Johnson reminded people to remain vigilant as the restrictions are lifted, warning that the pandemic is not yet over.
“We must remain cautious with cases rising across Europe and new variants threatening our vaccine rollout,” he said. “Despite today’s easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules, remember hands, face, space, and come forward for a vaccine when called.”
Monday’s easing of restrictions comes after the UK’s hugely successful vaccination programme reached 30m inoculations on Sunday. Moderna’s jab is expected to arrive in the UK from April.
Early morning swim
A swimmer steps out of the water after an early morning swim at Hillingdon Lido, Uxbridge.
(PA)
Matt Mathers29 March 2021 09:00
Golf courses reopen
Steve Oldham tees off the first at Telford Golf Club following the easing of England’s lockdown restrictions.
(PA)
Matt Mathers29 March 2021 08:46
UK to get Moderna vaccine by April
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out in the UK from April, a government minister has said.
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed the news on Sunday.
He insisted the government is on course to offer all over-50s a jab by 15 April and all remaining adults by the end of July.
Matt Mathers29 March 2021 08:28
Matt Hancock ‘thrilled’ as first-dose vaccine total passes 30 million
Health secretary Matt Hancock says he is “absolutely thrilled” at Sunday’s news that 30 million people in the UK have received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine.
The milestone takes the total proportion of British adults who have been inoculated to 57 per cent.
My colleague Bethany Dawson has the story:
Matt Mathers29 March 2021 08:17
England takes first big step out of lockdown with the return of outdoor family get-togethers and sport
England is taking its first big step out of lockdown with the return of outdoor family get-togethers and sport, but with a warning that Covid-19 remains a serious threat.
Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick reports:
Matt Mathers29 March 2021 08:08
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of Covid-19 updates from both at home and around the world.
Matt Mathers29 March 2021 08:06
