‘What can I do from Monday 29 March 2021?’ is the question on many people’s lips – as one of the key dates in England’s roadmap out of lockdown hits Gloucestershire. But how specifically will the new rules affect people across the county?
Meeting outdoors in Gloucestershire
One of the key changes is that you can now meet outdoors with family and friends in groups of six or as two households which, for many, will be greeted with excitement as restrictions on social contact with loved ones are finally relaxed.
Groups of six can be from different households, while outdoor gatherings of two households can have more than six people. Each household can include those in existing support bubbles.
In addition to public places, outdoor gatherings can take place in private gardens – meaning small get-togethers over the Easter holidays are now allowed.
Those from different households must, however, still observe social distancing rules. While meeting indoors is still prohibited.
Stay local in Gloucestershire
The government’s ‘stay at home’ messaging has now been replaced with the ‘stay local’ message.
Although there is no clear governmental rule about what distance ‘local’ constitutes, staying local is often taken to mean remaining within the same village, town or part of a city where you normally live.
Overnight stays away from home are still banned, unless you own a second home – with those with another residence legally allowed to stay there from Monday 29 March 2021.
Holidays within England remain banned until at least Monday 12 April 2021.
Outdoor sports and exercise in Gloucestershire
Outdoor sports and leisure facilities will be allowed to reopen for public use from Monday 29 March 2021.
Outdoor sport facilities including sports courts such as tennis and basketball courts, golf courses including adventure golf, water sports venues, climbing walls, driving and shooting ranges, riding centres, and archery venues as a few examples – with booking in advance usually required to help maintain social distancing.
Open-air swimming pools can also reopen during this first wave of lockdown easing.
Outdoor formally organised grassroots sport for adults and children can also return from Monday 29 March 2021.
Where sport is not formally organised, it can only take place within the rules on social contact – in groups of up to six people or two households.
Personal training is permitted outdoors, in outdoor sport facilities and in private gardens, where it is formally organised and follows COVID-secure guidance.
Weddings and events in Gloucestershire
It has been an incredibly hard time for couples hoping to get hitched, with government guidance from Monday 29 March 2021 stating that you are now able to attend communal worship and life events – including weddings. These small weddings are now allowed for up six guests.
And, as before, funerals will still be allowed up to 30 attendees.
The ban on protests has come to an end on Monday 29 March 2021, if they are organised by a business, public or political body or any other group which can satisfy police risk assessments – with attendees required to social distance.
Parent and child groups in Gloucestershire
Formally organised parent and child groups will now be able to meet outdoors, as long as there are no more than 15 people in attendance. Children under the age of five are not counted in this total.
Childcare and supervised activities will also be allowed outdoors for all children.
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