Thanks to everyoneโs hard work, and with the current โRโ (infection) rate now below 1 in all areas, from ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ in England people are able to meet in groups of up to six people from different households outside - in parks or now also in private gardens - as long as people observe a two-metre distance, in accordance with the social distancing guidance.
The evidence shows that the risk of transmission is significantly lower ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐จ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ and, for the first time since March, people will be able to invite parents, grandparents and friends to their homes, ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง.ย
A person may walk ๐กโ๐๐๐ข๐โ a dwelling to get to a garden and a person is allowed indoors to use the lavatory. However ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐๐๐๐ and ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ remain strictly forbidden at this stage.
I know how difficult these times have been for those who have been away from loved ones, and I welcome this step โ albeit a step which is conditional on any future outbreaks โ and hope that we can go even further in the weeks to come.ย
The Government has also confirmed that people who are โshieldingโ may now leave their home if they wish, as long as they maintain social distancing. This decision has been made with consideration to the fact that Covid-19 disease levels are substantially lower now than when shielding was first introduced. The Guidance states โIf you choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of your own household. If you live alone, you can spend time outdoors with one person from another household. Ideally, this should be the same person each time. If you do go out, you should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping 2 metres apart. This guidance will be kept under regular review.โย
You can read the up to date guidance for persons shielding here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-prโฆ.
More information can be found on the government website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-six-people-can-meet-outside-underโฆ.