Boris Johnson to ditch ‘stay at home’ message to let ‘rule of six’ or two households meet outdoors
THE "stay at home" lockdown slogan is set to be ditched next month to allow groups of six or two households to meet up outdoors.
Boris Johnson will today unveil his roadmap for easing England out of the national shutdown.
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Under the proposed plans, the “Rule of Six” will return to parks and private gardens — allowing six people from up to six different households to mix outdoors.
If just two households come together they can meet with no cap on their size from March 29.
This means families will be meeting together in parks and gardens by Easter.
And the "Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save lives" slogan dusted off when the third lockdown was introduced in January would also be axed.
The PM will reveal the blueprint in Parliament today at this afternoon before addressing the nation tonight.
His plan will see lockdown eased in four steps - if Covid cases, deaths and hospital admissions are down and the vaccine rollout continues at speed.
But he could slam the brakes on any proposals if a new variant emerges.
As well as the rule of six returning for Brits, regional tiers have also been scrapped.
Step One will see kids return to classrooms on March 8 and “ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely” prioritised.
Families who live far apart will be able to travel across the country to meet outdoors from March 29.
Outdoor sports - such as tennis and golf - will also resume in time for Easter.
But it will be mid-April before salons and non-essential shops are re-opened in a boost for the flailing High Street.
Pubs will also be able to serve thirsty Brits desperate for a pint outdoors from the same date.
Then in May and June, the rest of restrictions will be unlocked - including mixing and drinking indoors.
It is hoped normality will resume by July when every adult should have been offered a first dose of the Covid jab.
Last night the PM said: “Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step.
"We will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.
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“We have therefore set four key tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the plan. I’ll be setting out a roadmap to bring us out of lockdown cautiously.”
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He added: “Our priority has always been getting children back into school, which we know is crucial for their education as well as their mental and physical well-being.
"And we will also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely.”
