Plan for easing restrictions

The government has created a plan to lift coronavirus restrictions called a roadmap. The dates for easing restrictions are not fixed. Fixed dates for each step won’t be announced until the government thinks it’s definitely safe to move to that step.

STEP 1 – changes on 8 MARCH 2021:

• Most students to return to schools and colleges;
• Care home residents are allowed one visitor;
• You can meet one other person outside and
• Some university courses can return to face-to-face teaching.

     Changes on 29 MARCH 2021: 

     Outdoor gathering (including private gardens) of 6 people or 2 households allowed;

     Outdoor sports facilities can reopen and formally organised outdoor sports allowed.

STEP 2: – NOT before 12 APRIL 2021:

• Non-essential retail can reopen which includes hairdressers and salons;
• Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms can reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups);
• Hospitality venues can serve people outdoors although table service applies;
• Up to 15 people allowed to attend weddings, wakes and receptions.
• Up to 30 people for funerals.

STEP 3 – NOT before 17 MAY 2021:

• Most outdoor social contact rules lifted – no more than 30 people, rule of 6 or 2 households applies indoors.
•  Indoor hospitality and entertainment, such as cinemas, accommodation, indoor sports and exercise classes can reopen;
• Up to 30 people allowed to attend weddings, funerals and other types of significant life events;
• Up to 10,000 people allowed at seated outdoor events and organised indoor adult sports.

STEP 4 – NOT before 21 JUNE 2021:

• All limits on social contact removed, nightclubs can reopen and restrictions on large events and performances lifted.

Summary of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown

Oldham is still under national lockdown coronavirus restrictions.

Stay at home

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

• shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
• exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
• meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
• seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
• attend education or childcare – for those eligible

Business

All non-essential shops must close. See the government guidance for a full list of businesses that must close during the national lockdown.

There are grants available for local businesses here

Schools, colleges and childcare

Schools, Colleges and Early Years Settings are open for all children and young people from Monday 8 March.

Regular school attendance is essential for the educational. social and personal development of children and young people.

• Schools, colleges and childcare

Leisure and hospitality

Restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through and delivery services up untill 11pm.

Alcohol may only be purchased for delivery to the customer.

All gyms, leisure and sports centres must close.

Face coverings/masks

Members of staff and the public must wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces.

• Face coverings/masks

Weddings, civil partnerships, religious services and funerals

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies must only take place with up to 6 people and only in exceptional circumstances, for example, an urgent marriage where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover.

• Weddings, civil partnerships, religious services and funerals – GOV.UK website

Places of worship can remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support or childcare bubble.

Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, whether indoors or outdoors (this number does not include funeral staff), up to 6 people can attend linked commemorative events.

• Changes to funeral services

Travel

If you need to travel you should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.

• Travel – GOV.UK website

Advice for people at highest risk of coronavirus

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should only go out for medical appointments, for exercise, or if it is essential. You should not attend work.

• Advice for shielding residents – GOV.UK website

Are you struggling?

• We can help

  What you need to do

  • Book a free test
  • What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus
  • What if I test positive?
  • Coronavirus vaccination programme

  Advice and support

  • Home schooling
  • Test and trace/ self isolation support payment
  • Support and childcare bubbles
  • Advice for people at highest risk of coronavirus
  • Help with benefits, money and Council Tax
  • Help and support for businesses and jobs
  • Looking after your mental health and wellbeing
  • Support, help and tips for coping with coronavirus
  • Digital support/ access to computers