Key dates coming up for shops, hospitality and travel in the lockdown exit plan for England
There are some key dates coming up that will reveal what the rest of 2021 will mean for shops, pubs and holidays abroad
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by Hannah Finch
Updated
Plans to bring England out of lockdown are underway with some key dates in the coming weeks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said previously that he hopes to see some form of normality before Easter and said today - February 1, that he is "optimistic" about the summer holidays this year.
But he insisted that "some things have got to go right for us" between now and then, including the roll out of the vaccine programme, new strains of the virus and the infection rate reducing.
No official route map out of lockdown has been publsihed yet. However, according to our sister publication, The Mirror, the roadmap out of lockdown will include three stages - starting with the reopening of schools, then moving to shops and finally pubs.
The roadmap is also likely to set out when domestic and foreign travel could start again.
These are the key dates to look out for in the months ahead as we move to exit lockdown.
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February 15
This is the scheduled date for the review of the third lockdown, as set by the Prime Minister at the start of January.
By this date the Government should have a very clear picture of whether the lockdown has worked, and this is the date the Government set for all in the top four most vulnerable categories set out by the vaccine experts to have been offered their first dose.
Boris Johnson has re-iterated that the lockdown exit roadmap will be published in the week of February 22. It will go before Parliament for debate.
Mr Johnson and England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty have confirmed lockdown will not be lifted all at once - but will involve a number of stages.
The roadmap could see England return to regional tiers, with some areas facing tougher rules than others.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, asked how lockdown would end, said: "It will be gradually, it will be probably through the tiered system."
Easter Sunday this year falls on April 4 and there are hopes that we could see some gradual easing of restrictions by then.
Depending on infection rates, it could mean the Easter Bank Holiday weekend could see the return of non-essential retail, such as clothes and electronics shops.
The Government could also use this Easter break to kickstart tourism, allowing for the reopening of some tourist attractions and possibly accommodation.
Travel rules could be eased - within the 海角视频 - to allow for staycations.
Previously Boris Johnson claimed restrictions would be substantially lifted by Easter
“I think we can certainly look forward to a very, very different world in this country, from Easter onwards,” the PM said.
April 30
This is the date by which all over-50s and at-risk groups are meant to have been offered their first dose, according to the NHS.
17million people should have been offered a first vaccine dose by this date. Millions more will be getting their second dose at the same time.
The NHS will move onto giving first doses to the final, lowest-priority group - all adults under 50 without major health issues.
These 21million people will be sorted into priority groups and it’s thought teachers and other key workers will be put first.
May 3
In January, there was speculation that the May 3 could be the earliest date for reopening pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses. It would coincide with the May Bank Holiday, usually a big money date for pubs and tourism businesses.
SAGE experts have previously said May would be a safer date for reopening the hospitality sector - if infection rates can be brought down.
If all the over 50s and most vulnerable have had their first vaccine dose by April, then May would be seen as substantially safe for easing lockdown further.
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May will also see elections across the country, meaning the Government will want to have eased restrictions if possible to allow this to happen.
The current furlough scheme ends on April 30.
July 17
Rules allowing councils to close pubs, restaurants, shops and parks expire on this date - so it is the current latest date we could see ongoing closures in England.
Speaking while visiting a vaccination centre in Yorkshire on February 1, Mr Johnson said he is "optimistic" people will be able to enjoy a summer holiday this year.
September 1
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The Government aims to have offered a first dose of the vaccine to every adult by September.
What do you think about the way this lockdown has been handled?When is the right time to re-open pubs and allow foreign holidays?