What are the new Covid rules in England from 29 March?

Lockdown restrictions will be eased further from 29 March in England. Here is a roundup of what will be allowed, in accordance with government guidance.

Social contact

People will be allowed to have outdoor gatherings with their friends and families, which includes within private gardens. The limit on numbers is either up to six people, or two households.

Sport

Outdoor sporting facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, and outdoor swimming pools, will be allowed to reopen.

People will also be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports, which will not have to adhere to the rule of six restrictions. However, the government guidance says it “should be compliant with guidance issued by national governing bodies”.

Travel

The stay-at-home rule, which has been in place since the new lockdown began in January, will be lifted. However, the government says people should continue to work at home where possible and minimise the number of journeys made. Travel abroad will not be allowed, apart from for a small number of permitted reasons.

However, after the news that Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father, travelled to his Greek villa last year, apparently breaching lockdown restrictions, the government has introduced a regulation that allows people to leave the UK to prepare a second home for sale or rent.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship

Weddings will no longer be limited to just exceptional circumstances. However, the rule of six will remain applicable to attenders.

The guidance for funerals will stay the same, up to 30 guests allowed, and the rule of six remaining in place for wakes.

Churches, mosques and other places of worship have remained open throughout the current lockdown, and there will be no changes to the rules now in place. For Easter services, the guidance says people “must not mingle with anyone outside your household or support bubble”.

Protests

The new regulations state that protests will be allowed under an exemption from the ban on large gatherings, but only if they are organised by a public body, business or political body or other group. They also have to pass risk assessments at the discretion of individual police forces, including to maintain social distancing.