Government four-step plan for ending lockdown in England

The government has published its ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’ plan, which sets out the four steps for lifting restrictions and ending the current lockdown in England.

From 8 March, restrictions in England will start to be eased, with all pupils returning to schools and social contact slightly relaxed. The plan is being guided by data, and any dates mentioned in the roadmap are indicative and subject to change. 

The decision to move from one step to the next will be based on four tests:

• The continued success of the vaccine deployment programme
• Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
• Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
• Assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern (VOC)

For full details, visit the UK Government website.