Lockdown restrictions have been lifted and reinstated and lifted again throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and while hope is being provided by the UK’s fast moving vaccination programme, the UK is not out of the woods just yet. The UK currently has one of the largest death tolls in the world, with more than 100,000 people having died with the virus since February 2020.
Stay at home orders are in place across much of the UK, with the public advised not to leave home unless for essential reasons.
Working from home wherever possible is advised and meeting with those outside of your household is heavily restricted.
Comments made by cabinet minister have prompted speculation that restrictions could be eased in the wake of the UK’s fast moving vaccination programme, as well as a slow but noticeable decline in cases of coronavirus across a number of areas.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “In six months we’ll be in the middle, I hope, of a happy and free Great British summer – I have a high degree of confidence that by then the vast majority of adults will have been vaccinated.”
Elsewhere, all coronavirus restrictions have been lifted on the Isle of Man after a sustained period of no active cases.
Northern Ireland
The country entered an initial six-week- lockdown on Boxing Day, after ministers agreed to reinstate the highest level of restrictions.
The current lockdown in Northern Ireland is in place until March 5, as announced by First Minister Arlene Foster.
A review of current restrictions will take place on February 18.
