Lockdown rules UK: what you can and can’t do over the bank holiday weekend in all four nations

Restrictions remain in place across all four nations, however, with limits on the number of people allowed to gather and rules around where gatherings are permitted.

This is what you can and can’t do over the upcoming Easter weekend across the UK.

England

Since Monday, March 29, groups of up to six people in England have been permitted to meet in an outdoor setting - either in a public space or private garden.

Attendees from different households or support bubbles must maintain social distancing while outdoors, and indoor gatherings are not currently permitted.

Outdoor team sports and activities, including tennis and golf, are also permitted along with open-air swimming pools if you fancy a chilly dip.

Outdoor parent and child groups have also been permitted to restart, with a maximum of 15 attendees. Under fives do not count towards the total.

People in England are also now able to take part in formally organised outdoor activities like football leagues.

The nationwide “stay at home” order was lifted on March 29, meaning it is no longer illegal to travel outside of your local area.

However, the government is continuing to encourage people to remain local where possible.

Scotland

In Scotland, groups of four people from two households are permitted to meet outdoors where the group includes an adult over 18.

In a group where everyone is aged between 12 and 17, a group of four people from four households are permitted to meet outside.

As in England, social distancing must be practiced between members of different households, and indoor gatherings are not permitted.

Meeting is allowed for social purposes, exercise or (non-contact) outdoor sports activities.

From Friday, April 2, the stay at home order will be lifted, but a “stay local” requirement will replace it, meaning people must remain in their local authority area for non-essential travel.

Further easing is planned after the Easter holiday weekend, from April 5, when garden centres, hairdressers and barbers will be permitted to reopen along with non-essential click and collect services.

Wales

In Wales, people are permitted to meet with others not from their household outdoors in a group of up to six people from two households.

Children under 11 do not count towards the total, and people may meet in public spaces or private gardens.

Entering somebody else’s home is not permitted except for essential purposes, such as if you are a contractor carrying out work in a house.

A number of venues have reopened in Wales as of March 27, including garden centres, hairdressers, some outdoor visitor attractions and playgrounds and public parks.

Unlike in England and Scotland, there are no restrictions on travel within Wales - the only rule is that people must not leave Wales.

This includes self-contained accommodation, meaning staycations are on the cards over the Easter weekend.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s stay at home message will be revised to “stay local” as of April 1.

From this date, people are permitted to meet outdoors in private gardens in groups of up to six people from two households, including children.

People must socially distance from anyone they don’t live with, and indoor meetings are not permitted.

Outdoor sports facilities will also reopen, with up to ten people allowed to play sport together.

Sports clubs will be allowed to train outside as long as they have no more than 15 participants in one training group. Indoor facilities will remain closed.

Click and collect services will be available at garden centres and plant nurseries for people to order online and pick up.