Is lockdown over now in the UK?

The memo said a plan to extend Christmas holidays from December 18 to January 11 was discussed at the Scottish Government's Education Recovery Group meeting on Thursday.

The University of St Andrews began mass testing students for Covid-19 on Saturday, November 28.

The free asymptomatic tests will be available for all students planning to leave St Andrews over the Christmas break and those remaining in the town.

Scotland has introduced a which are being reviewed on a weekly basis.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon introduced the system, from 0-4, which came into force on Monday, November 2.

The country as a whole is now subject to general rules, such as remote working where possible, mandatory masks on public transport and a ban on non-essential travel to or from level 3+ areas.

On Friday, November 20, 11 local authorities were put into level 4 - the highest level of restrictions - in parts of Western and Central Scotland, including Glasgow.

This means

In level 4, non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and gyms are all closed - but schools remain open.

Restrictions in the affected areas will remain in place until December 11 when they will be reviewed.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The infection rate in all of these areas remains stubbornly and worryingly high.

It is not known yet when the Scotland's level system will be lifted but the measures are being reviewed regularly.

Wales

First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced new coronavirus restrictions coming into place on Friday, December 4.

Hospitality settings such as pubs, cafes and restaurants will have to close at 6pm every day and will not be allowed to serve alcohol.

After 6pm, they will be allowed to operate on a takeaway basis.

Cinemas, bowling alleys and other indoor entertainment venues will close.

Mr Drakeford said the restrictions will cover the whole of Wales and a £360m support package for businesses affected.

The measures will be reviewed by December 17.

The First Minister told the Welsh Government briefing that the two-week firebreak enforced during October had brought down Covid-19 infection rates, but there has since been a steady rise - especially among the under-25s.

He said the hospital system is under "sustained pressure", with more than 1,700 people with Covid-19 being treated.

The new restrictions are being designed to allow a relaxation of the rules over the Christmas period, Mr Drakeford said.

Wales underwent a 17-day "firebreak" lockdown from October 23 in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

When the restrictions ended on Monday, November 9, new measures were introduced, including: not meeting other households indoors, maintaining social distancing, working from home if possible, limiting the number of times people go out.

Northern Ireland

The rollout of the coronavirus vaccination programme in Northern Ireland should be complete by the summer of next year, Stormont leaders have predicted.

Healthcare workers, care home residents and staff, and people aged over 80 will be first to receive the vaccine in a process that could begin next month if the required regulatory approvals are granted.

On October 16, Northern Ireland introduced new measures that ban people from different households mixing indoors.

The restrictions were due to last for four weeks but they were extended for one more week on the November 2 deadline.

On November 19, Stormont agreed a second two-week circuit breaker was necessary to control the virus.

This latest range of lockdown restrictions kicked off on Friday, November 27.

Under the latest rules, indoor mixing between households are banned, restaurants, cafes and bars are takeaway only, and all non-essential shops and hairdressers are closed.

To support businesses through this period, Northern Ireland has secured an additional £338million financial package.

As part of this package, residents will be given a pre-paid voucher to spend on high street shops.

In regards to the new Covid circuit-breaker, Ms O'Neill urged people to "throw everything but the kitchen sink" at efforts to suppress Covid-19.

She said that this would offer the best possible chance of emerging from the restrictions as scheduled on December 11.

What’s happened so far?

December 2: One-month lockdown ends in England and three-tier system is re-introduced - but with tougher measures.

November 27: Wales announces further national restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus, starting from December 4.

November 26: 99 per cent of England will be in  Tiers 2 or 3 from December 2, it's revealed.

November 23: Boris Johnson announces England's latest three-tier system to start after lockdown on December 2. Oxford University's coronavirus vaccine is found to be up to 90 per cent effective.

November 2o: Scotland places 11 council areas across Western and Central Scotland into Level 4 restrictions.

November 19: Northern Ireland says a two week circuit-breaker lockdown will start on November 27.

November 16: Moderna announces its vaccine against Covid-19 is 95 per cent effective.

November 9: Wales' 17 day "firebreak" lockdown ends. Pfizer announces its coronavirus vaccine is 90 per cent effective.

November 5: UK extends its furlough scheme until the end of March.

October 31: UK passes one million confirmed coronavirus cases.

October 31: UK announces four-week national lockdown in England.

October 20: Tighter restrictions are introduced on Greater Manchester.

October 17: London, Essex and York enter Tier 2 restrictions.

October 17: Leaked letter suggests Wales will enter a two-week circuit breaker lockdown from October 23.

October 12: UK announces a new three-tier system for Covid-19 restrictions in England.

October 7: Scotland bans drinking indoors in licensed premises for 16 days.

September 28: Lockdown restrictions are tightened in North-East England.

September 22: UK records highest daily tally of cases since May.

September 21: Pubs in England are ordered to shut at 10pm to curb a spread in coronavirus cases.

September 19: Doctors in England say tighter restrictions are needed.

September 17: WHO warns about “alarming rates of transmission” across Europe.

September 12: Oxford University resumes vaccine trial.

September 9: UK bans gatherings of more than 6 people over fears about a second wave.

August 14: UK fines for refusing to wear a face mask increase to £3,200.

August 14: Lockdowns in the North West of England extended.

August 8: Hundreds in the UK march for fair pay for NHS workers.

August 3: UK’s ‘Eat out to help out’ initiative begins, offering 50% off food in participating restaurants, up to the value of £10, every Monday-Wednesday in August in a bid to save the restaurant industry.

July 31: UK reverses decision to ease lockdown further.

July 30: UK imposes local lockdown on a number of areas in the North of England.

July 25: UK Government advises against all but essential travel to Spain.

July 20: Major breakthrough in the search for a vaccine as  vaccine from the University of Oxford found to provide immunity.

July 8: UK government unveils £30bn plan to prevent mass unemployment.

July 5: UK Government announces £1.57bn in support for UK arts industry.

July 4: Pubs, restaurants, barbers and places of worship reopen in the UK.

July 1: UK businesses cut 11,000 jobs in 2 days.

June 29: Boris Johnson says coronavirus has been “an absolute nightmare for the country.

June 26: UK government changes quarantine regulations to allow people to holiday in places such as Spain and Greece.

June 24: UK health officials warn of risk of second wave.

June 23: England announces that pubs, restaurants and hotels will reopen on July 4.

June 22: UK government announces that those who are shielding can meet groups of up to six outdoors.

June 20: Survey by the British Medical Association finds that a large proportion of doctors are not confident in their ability to cope with a second wave.

June 19: Welsh government reopen all shops with tourism resuming by July 6.

June 19: Boris Johnson giving a massive hint that the two metre rule in schools could be cut, the lockdown looks like to be eased further.

June 18: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that the country would be moving into phase two of its easing of restrictions, which will see changes made over the course of the coming days and weeks.

June 18: The Northern Ireland Executive agrees to reduce social distancing at schools from 2 metres to 1 metre,

June 15: non-essential retail reopened in England, with people flocking back to high streets and retail parks, which had social distancing measures in place.

Zoos and safari parks also reopened, as did places of worship for private prayer.

June 12: Non-essential retailers reopen in Northern Ireland

June 1o: Johnson announces a further easing of lockdown measures in England that will allow people living alone to spend time in one other household as part of a "support bubble"

June 5: Health Secretary Matt Hancock urges people not to breach lockdown rules by attending anti-racism protests planned for the forthcoming weekend.

May 28: During the latest lockdown review, it was announced that severe restrictions would be easing as five of the Government’s key tests had been passed and the R rate was decreasing.

May 26: It is announced that Brits will be able to invite people round for garden get-togethers and see grandparents for the first time in months.

May 25: Dominic Cummings reads a statement to the press after allegedly breaching lockdown rules.

May 23: Boris Johnson will give lockdown Brits a real fresh start this week — by re-opening the great outdoors. The PM will ease restrictions on open-air activities in the latest step on the road back to normal life.

May 22: It was announced that arrivals to UK must quarantine for 2 weeks from June 8 with rule breakers set to face a £1000 fine.

May 21: Matt Hancock revealed the Government are giving £4.2m in funds to charities like the Samaritans, Young Minds and Mental Health UK.

May 20: The Queen’s Birthday Honours’ List will be held off until the autumn to allow to recognise those bravely battling the coronavirus – including Captain Tom Moore who will receive a knighthood.

May 19: The Environment Secretary revealed the Covid Alert level system which showed that the UK is currently on Level 4. Level 5 is the highest it goes when the virus is at its worst – but Mr Eustice announced that we are working towards the third tier as it follows the R value.

May 13: The first lockdown measures officially ease as some Brits return to work, golf courses, fishing lakes and garden centres are reopened

May 12: Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirms the furlough scheme has been extended until October.

May 11: Mr Johnson unveils a 50-page plan laying out the the easing of lockdown.

May 7: Government extends lockdown by a further three weeks.

May 6: Professor Neil Ferguson quits government role after he was found to have met his lover during lockdown

May 5: Contract tracing app began its trial in the Isle of Wight – as UK overtook Italy to have highest death toll in Europe and second globally behind US.

May 4: It was reported that schools are to reopen at the start of June, with Year 6 kids expected to be first to return, followed by Year 10 and 12 pupils, while the five tests that need passing before lockdown could be lifted were revealed.

April 30:  Johnson hosts his first briefing since his return.

April 29: Dominic Raab revealed the combined number of fatalities from hospitals, care homes and the wider community for the first time.

April 28: Hancock doubles down on the 5 criteria to lift lockdown, expands testing capacity to care homes to protect elderly and the over 65's with symptoms and workers that have to leave home to go to work and are showing symptoms.

April 27: Mr Johnson returned to work with a speech outside Downing Street

April 22: Social distancing is likely to be needed until a vaccine is available for Covid-19, according to the chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty.

April 21: Human trials of a vaccine developed by Oxford University were announced and will start Thursday, April 22. Johnson started working again, making an official call to President Trump.

April 19: A government adviser brought some hope, saying the UK had probably passed the first coronavirus peak. However, there was bad news for pubs that could stay closed until Christmas. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson laid out plans for 14 weeks of online learning but wouldn't say when schools will re-open.

April 18: Scientists draw up top-secret "traffic light" system to ease Britain out of lockdown, but ministers deny it.

April 17: Police set new guidelines in a three-page on what "reasonable"; excuses are to leave the house.

April 16: Dominic Raab officially states Britain will stay in lockdown for another three weeks into May.

April 15: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged the Government to be "transparent" and publish its lockdown exit strategy.

April 12: Home Secretary Priti Patel said police would be given discretionary powers to make sure people were following social distancing rules.

April 11: Easter Bank Holiday saw warm weather descend on the UK, with the Government urging people to stay at home and save lives.

April 9: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announces it is too soon to lift social distancing restrictions,  with SAGE to review the restrictions after Easter Monday.

April 5: The Prime Minister is admitted to hospital for treatment, ten days after first displaying coronavirus symptoms on 27 March.

April 1: Cops are told to tone down "heavy-handed" enforcement, after drones were used to spot people visiting beauty spots, and checkpoints were set up at some locations

March 26: Police get new powers, allowing them to fine Brits flouting lockdown rules £60 - or £120 for second-time offenders

March 23: Boris Johnson announced a partial, three-week-long lockdown, telling us to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus. Certain businesses and venues were , including pubs, hair and beauty salons, places of worship and campsites