Lockdown roadmap UK: Outdoor sports back from today but kickabouts with mates still BANNED under confusing law

ORGANISED five-a-side matches are back on from TODAY - but you still won't be allowed to have a kickabout in the park with your mates.

As part of the Prime Minister's lockdown roadmap, outdoor sports can finally return - but casual games with your pals are still banned.

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Government rules state people will be able to take part in "formally organised" outdoor sports today.

This means that grassroots and community teams can play sports like football, rugby and hockey once again - after over three months in lockdown.

But just meeting up with your friends for a kickabout is still prohibited, because it is not part of a "formal" sport organisation.

Brits will face a £200 fine if they break the lockdown rules on outdoor sports.

Outdoor sporting facilities are also opening on today - with tennis and basketball courts and open-air swimming pools opening their doors to the public again.

Keen golfers are also in luck - with courses opening up again as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

As schools start to break up for the Easter holidays, outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will also be allowed.

This makes it easier for friends and families to meet outside - including in private gardens.

Crucially, the stay at home rule will also end - but many restrictions will remain in place.

Gyms are still ordered to be closed until April 12, when the next phase of the lockdown roadmap takes place.

April 12 will see the first major easing of restrictions with, non-essential shops and hairdressers to reopen and restrictions on people's travel will be further relaxed.

Hairdressers will also be open by April 12, along with zoos and theme parks.

And a few weeks later, on May 17, many indoor restrictions are expected to be lifted.

ON THE MARCH

Indoor mixing in people's homes, including overnight stays, will be allowed once again with Rule of Six and a limit of two households.

Hugging is also expected to be allowed by May with the majority of the most vulnerable to have received two doses of the vaccine by then.

Businesses such as spas, saunas and nightclubs are expected to follow from June 21.

There are hopes Brits could then enjoy a sense of normality by July, when every adult will have been offered a coronavirus jab first dose.

After the first lockdown, gyms did not reopen in England until July 25 – three weeks after hairdressers, pubs and restaurants.

But after the second lockdown ended on December 2, they opened again immediately.

Before the third lockdown came into force on January 5, indoor gyms had been told to stay shut in Tier 4 areas, although outdoor gyms could remain open.

Gyms were allowed to stay open for solo exercises in places under Tier 3 restrictions, but group workouts were banned.