Watkins Ward Group - New End Lockdown Rules Explained

Watkins Ward Group explains new rules

Brits will as of Monday be able to meet others outdoors under the rule of six or two households - but what do these rules mean for families and those shielding?

As of Monday people in England will be able to meet outdoors under the rule of six or two households as lockdown restrictions are eased.

It is the first stage of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's four-step roadmap to ending lockdown.

It will see rules relaxed on March 29, April 12 and every five weeks thereafter to allow Government's decision-making to be informed by data.

But what is the rule of six and two households and what will it mean for you and those deemed clinically extremely vulnerable?

The rule of six from March 29 means that you can meet outside - including in private gardens - with another five people from different households in a socially distanced fashion.

Children of all ages are included in the count but in-work professional carers aren't, the BBC reports.

Alternatively, a household of any number can meet with another household in any outdoor setting.

This was introduced to allow families to see each other and means, for example, that any household of five people can meet with a household with the same headcount.

People should still ensure they maintain social distancing with people that are not from their household to help prevent the spread of Covid 19.

Nearly four million people have been advised to shield during the pandemic as they were deemed clinically extremely vulnerable.

But the government will as of March 31 advise that they no longer have to self-isolate as infection numbers keep dropping.

This means that those shielding will start following the same national guidelines as the rest of the population as of April 1.

They have nonetheless been sent letters telling them to take additional safety precautions, such as maintaining social distancing at all times and keep their social contacts "at low levels".

They are also advised to work from home where possible.

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