COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For broader coverage of this topic, see British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deserted train station with "stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives" sign displayed.
Marylebone station in London during the first nationwide lockdown in April 2020.

COVID-19 lockdowns in the United Kingdom refer to a series of stay-at-home orders introduced by the British and devolved governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of a series on the
COVID-19 pandemic
in the United Kingdom,
British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies
CovidUK.png
(Part of the global COVID-19 pandemic)
Locations
  • London
  • Countries
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland
  • Crown dependencies
  • Guernsey
  • Isle of Man
  • Jersey
  • British Overseas Territories
  • Anguilla
  • Akrotiri and Dhekelia
  • Bermuda
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Falkland Islands
  • Gibraltar
  • Montserrat
  • Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • British Overseas Territories without confirmed cases
  • British Antarctic Territory
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Timelines
  • United Kingdom
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland
Key topics
  • Healthcare
  • Vaccination
  • Temporary hospitals
  • COVID passports
  • Government response
  • Impacts
  • Society
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Politics
  • Retail
  • SARS-CoV-2 (Wikimedia colors).svg COVID-19 portal
  •  Category
  • v
  • t

On 23 March 2020, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government would introduce a nationwide lockdown to curb a widening outbreak of COVID-19, closing many sectors and ordering the public to stay at home. This was incrementally lifted, starting from several weeks later. Similar restrictions would be introduced in late 2020 and early 2021 as infections rose. Restrictions diverged to apply to piecemeal geographic areas, and then to larger-scale restrictions that differed between the four countries of the United Kingdom. Health in the UK is devolved to each of the four nations, meaning such restrictions are decided by each government separately and the central UK government acting on behalf of England only.

First nationwide lockdown[]

Chester city centre during the first lockdown in April 2020.
New COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK, with the dates of lockdown and its partial lifting. This shows both the COVID-19 death figures confirmed by tests and the figures registered by three authorities.

The initial announcement was made by Boris Johnson, with agreement from the other three heads of government. At 8:30 p.m. on 23 March 2020, Boris Johnson announced a stay-at-home order effective immediately,[1] though only legally effective from 1:00 p.m. on 26 March 2020, through The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.[2]

The slogan "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives" was used in England. All non-essential shops and services were ordered to close, throughout the UK and police were granted powers to issue fines, send people home, especially persons suspected of being infected, and to break up gatherings of more than two people. The British population was instructed to stay home, except for exercise once a day (such as running, walking or cycling), shopping for essential items, any medical need, providing care to a vulnerable person, or travelling to work where the work in question was vital and could not be done from home.

Johnson stated that the stay-at-home order would be reviewed every three weeks.[3] Working with general practitioners, the four NHS bodies strongly advised (though did not mandate) that those at the highest risk of severe complications from COVID-19 follow special shielding measures. These included not leaving their home at all, even for essential reasons, and keeping two meters apart from other household members.[citation needed]

On 11 May, following the initial lockdown announcement, the UK-wide rules fractured and separate rules were announced at various times by the four governments of the United Kingdom.[citation needed]

Wales[]

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in Wales

On 26 March the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 were approved by the Senedd, giving the Welsh Government emergency powers to deal with various aspects of managing the pandemic. These new powers include the authority to:[4][5]

  • Take people into or keep them in quarantine
  • Restrict or prohibit mass gatherings
  • Close premises

On 26 March, Snowdon and other Welsh mountains were closed to the public, after a larger number of tourists had gathered on the mountains in the preceding days, causing traffic mayhem.[6] Natural Resources Wales later announced that all sites and paths liable to have large amounts of people visiting, or pose a high risk, would be closed.[7]

Diolch Yn Fawr NHS, Wales Millennium Centre

By 27 March, North Wales Police were patrolling the border between Wales and England because visitors were ignoring the stay-at-home instructions and travelling into Wales. In many cases the police were stopping cars entering from England; such border control had not happened between Wales and England since the 16th century.[8][9][10]

On 8 May, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that the COVID-19 lockdown in Wales would be extended for a further three weeks.[11] He also announced "modest" changes to the measures already in force: some garden centres would be allowed to re-open, and people could now exercise outdoors more than once per day provided that they "stay local".[12]

On 3 June, Welsh Government briefings began[13] (later referred to as 'press conferences') in a series that was set up by Welsh Government as a way of dispersing new information to the people of Wales regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales. These were placed on a CC-BY-SA open licence.

Restrictions were further eased by an announcement on 31 July, confirming that pubs and restaurants would be able to open indoor areas on 3 August. Up to thirty people would be able to meet outdoors and children under 11 would no longer have to keep a 2-metre (6') distance from anyone. Indoor bowling alleys, auction houses and bingo halls were allowed to reopen, while swimming pools, gyms, leisure centres and indoor play areas would be allowed to reopen from 10 August, all with social distancing.[14]

Towards the end of August, concerns grew about a potential second spike in infections, after passengers arriving at Cardiff Airport from overseas tested positive for the virus.[15] The flight operator, TUI Group, was criticised for failing to enforce mask-wearing during the flight.[16] Health Minister Vaughan Gething later revealed that 30 cases had been linked to four flights into the UK from the island of Zante, and the Welsh and Scottish governments lobbied the UK government to have the island included in the list of quarantine destinations for the UK as a whole.[17]

Firebreak[]

On 19 October, the Welsh Government announced that a second national lockdown, described as a "fire-break", would be imposed from 23 October until 9 November, coinciding with school half-term holidays which would be extended by a week in colleges and for school students in year 9 (13 to 14 years old) and above, in the hope of bringing down the number of coronavirus cases.[18] The First Minister announced that all pubs, restaurants, and non-essential shops would be closed during that period.[19]

Welsh government press conference on 19 October 2020 announcing the firebreak lockdown

After the firebreak, rules were standardised across Wales with localised restrictions abolished.[20] From 9 November, pubs, restaurants and cafes reopened with groups of up to four people (children under eleven not counting in the total) from different households allowed to meet up in them; the 10pm curfew for alcohol sales remained in place.[21] Non essential shops also reopened.[22] Two households could form a bubble (interact when they wished) whilst any number of children under eleven and up to 15 or 30 individuals over that age could take part in indoor and outdoor organised events respectively. Travel restrictions within Wales were lifted though non essential visits to other parts of the UK or abroad remained banned.[23]

Third lockdown[]

Announced on 16 December, the Welsh Government planned to go into a full lockdown immediately after the 5-day Christmas period (23–27 December) on 28 December. However, on 19 December 2020, it was announced that Wales would go into a full lockdown (or "tier 4" restrictions) immediately at midnight on 20 December. The circumstance for the latest lockdown was reviewed every three weeks, but no end date was announced.[24]

This followed the emergence of a novel variant of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. Original joint plans of relaxed restrictions from 23 to 28 December were in place for the entire United Kingdom, but this was amended so that the sole relaxed period would consist of Christmas Day, in which only two households will be allowed to meet. Before and after Christmas Day, meeting with people from different households, was not be allowed to take place indoors. Those that do meet with other households outdoors must stay at least 2 meters apart from each other and wear PPE.[25]

Northern Ireland[]

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland

"Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives" slogan rejected and "Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives" was used.

On 15 April, Arlene Foster, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, extended the period of lockdown in Northern Ireland to 9 May, as 121 new cases and 6 new deaths were confirmed.[26]

On 7 May, the Northern Ireland Executive met to discuss a roadmap to ending lockdown restrictions, with an announcement due during the week beginning 11 May.[27]

NI Executive roadmap to exiting lockdown

On 18 May, the Northern Ireland Executive activated some aspects of step one with garden and recycling centres allowed to open. However, on the same day, it was announced that further measures of step one would be activated on Tuesday 19 May such as groups of up to six people who do not share a household being able to meet outside and private church services being allowed.[28]

On 15 June, the Executive announced more lockdown easing this time focusing on the hospitality industry with hotels, restaurants and bars that sell food or have a large beer garden being allowed to open from 3 July 2020.[29]

On 25 June it was announced that Northern Ireland would be reducing its 2-metre social distancing rule to 1 metre.[30] At the end of June, there were a total of 5,760 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, with 551 deaths.[31]

July saw a further relaxation of COVID-19 rules with betting shops, private clubs, restaurants, museums, and tourist sites opening on 3 July with salon and close contact services on 6 July. 10 July saw indoor gyms, outdoor playgrounds, weddings and baptisms, bingo and cinemas and competitive sports behind closed doors allowed. Libraries and indoor leisure centres followed.[32] On 10 July the wearing of face coverings became compulsory on public transport in Northern Ireland, exceptions will be for those with a medical condition, children under the age of 13, and on school transport.[33]

On 5 August it was announced that all pupils will return to school five days a week as normal at the start of term time in September. Education Minister Peter Weir announced that years 1 to 10 will return to class in protected bubbles, with minimised movements between classes for years 11 to 14.[34]

On 20 August the Executive announced that some restrictions were to be reintroduced following rising cases in recent days. Restrictions announced included reducing indoor gatherings from 10 to six people and outdoor meetings from 30 to 15.

On 10 September the Northern Ireland Executive imposed new restrictions on visiting homes for Ballymena, and parts of Glenavy, Lisburn and Crumlin, following a rise in COVID-19 cases in those areas. From the following week, people living in those areas are limited to social gatherings of six and are encouraged not to travel outside the areas.[35] The Executive also announced further easing of restrictions nationally in Northern Ireland such as the reopening of wet bars on 21 September.[36]

Circuit breaker measures[]

On 14 October the Northern Ireland Executive announced a new 'circuit breaker' lockdown effective from Friday 16 October for four weeks.[37] On Friday 16 October, Northern Ireland commenced a partial lockdown.[38][39]

On 3 December, the Executive agreed to ease restrictions on 11 December. Non-essential retail, close contract business, churches and gyms can reopen with social distancing and some limitations being observed. Parts of the hospitality industry can reopen such as cafes, restaurants and bars that serve food can open but must be closed by 23:00, wet pubs must remain shut.[40]

Later lockdowns[]

On 17 December, the Northern Ireland executive announced Northern Ireland would go into a lockdown from 26 December. This involved the closure of all non-essential retail, hospitality. The Christmas bubble system remained in place.[41] Due to the spread of a new variant of COVID-19 throughout Northern Ireland, the Executive hardened restrictions further on 5 January 2021. From Friday 8 January a stay-at-home order became law meaning people can only leave home for medical or food needs, exercise, and work that cannot be done from home. Further restrictions were also announced for schools with pupils from nursery, primary and post-primary schools carrying out remote learning until after the mid-term break in the middle of February 2021.[42]

Scotland[]

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland
South Bridge, Edinburgh in April 2020.

"Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives" slogan rejected and "Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives" was used.

On 20 March the Scottish Government told cafes, pubs, and restaurants to close.[43][a]

On 6 April the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 which was introduced as an Emergency Bill in the Scottish Parliament on 31 March 2020 gained Royal Assent, becoming law.

On 16 April, after reviewing the lockdown with all nations in the UK, the decision was made to extend it for another 3 weeks until 7 May. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her daily briefing said, ". . . I want to stress that the news is positive . . . Early indications are that the lockdown restrictions have resulted in a slowing down in the rate of community transmission of the virus."[44]

On 8 May First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reported that there was some recognition that each of the four nations of the UK might move at different speeds with regard to loosening the lockdown and that she would not be pressured into lifting restrictions prematurely.[45]

On 11 May, in a national address to Scotland on the beginning of the seventh week of lockdown, Nicola Sturgeon asked the nation "to stick with lockdown for a bit longer - so that we can consolidate our progress, not jeopardise it[…] I won't risk unnecessary deaths by acting rashly or prematurely."

On 21 May First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlined a four-phase "route map" for easing lockdown restrictions in Scotland that included allowing people to meet up outside with people from one other household in the first phase. The lockdown would be eased from 28 May subject to the number of new cases of COVID-19 continuing to fall.[46] Schools in Scotland would reopen on 11 August, when students would receive a "blended model" of part-time study at school combined with some learning at home.[47]

On 28 May the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an easing of the lockdown in Scotland from the following day, with people able to meet friends and family outside in groups of no more than eight but keeping two metres apart.[48]

On 19 June, some easing of lockdown restrictions with meeting outdoors of up to 8 people from two other households whilst maintaining social distancing, for single people or singles with children they may meet with another household indoors without social distancing. Face coverings mandatory on public transport. Exercise within 5 miles of home.[49]

On 29 June further easing of lockdown with indoor workplaces allowed to open, street access retail and outdoor markets opening, outdoor sports playgrounds, zoos and parks open, outdoor marriages allowed and people can move house. All with social distancing.[50]

On 3 July the 5 mile travel ban is lifted, self contained holiday accommodation allowed to re-open for business, visits to care homes by one "key visitor" were permitted but meetings had to be outdoors and a 2m distance maintained, young people under 12 were not required to social distance and 12-17 year olds may meet in groups of up to 8 people provided social distancing is maintained. Beer gardens and outdoor cafes can open from 6 July.[51] It will be compulsory to wear face coverings in shops from 10 July.[52]

Jason Leitch and Nicola Sturgeon deliver a COVID-19 press conference in January 2021.

On 10 July Air Bridge system starts which did not require self isolation for people returning from any of 57 countries, similar to, but less than the list of Air Bridges from England and Wales.[53] Up to 15 people from five different households may meet outdoors whilst maintaining 2m social distancing, up to 8 people from three households may meet indoors and people from outside a household may stay overnight.[54]

On 11 August pupils returned to schools. They did not need to socially distance but teachers had to wear masks if they were in close proximity with others and socially distance from each other. By 31 August, pupils at high schools are obliged to wear face masks in corridors, canteens and other communal areas.[55]

On 22 September First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces nationwide restrictions which go into effect on Friday 25 September, these restrictions affect the pub closing times to meetings within households.

On 2 November a new, 5 level, or "tier" system is introduced into Scotland - bringing new, targeted restrictions to different regions of the country.[56][57][58]

On 4 January 2021, Nicola Sturgeon announced a lockdown in Scotland which took effect at midnight.[59]

England[]

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in England
Piccadilly Circus in London during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

The early 2020 lockdown left a significant impact on the economy, resulting in shrinking it by a fifth, i.e. 20%. The "circuit-breaker" lockdown, which is expected to be relatively less intense could hit the economy by 5% or more. As per Capital Economics, the estimated time required for the economy to get back to the pre-pandemic levels is a year to 2023.[60]

The slogan changed to "Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives" and those who could not work from home, including specifically construction and manufacturing workers, were encouraged to return to work albeit avoiding the use of public transport. Additionally, the once-a-day limit on exercise was lifted. The COVID-19 threat level system was introduced, and the "Stay Home" phase was announced to be equivalent to Level 4 (where 1 meant "COVID-19 is not known to be present in the UK", and 5 meant "The circulation of COVID-19 is high and rising exponentially and there is a material risk of healthcare being overwhelmed").

On 13 May 2020, those in England were allowed to meet one other person not from their household outside whilst maintaining a 2-metre social distance,[61] and from 28 May groups of up to six from different households were allowed to meet outside, keeping a safe distance.

From 1 June 2020, English primary schools were encouraged to re-open to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, and extremely vulnerable people shielding at home were advised it was safe to go outside for once-daily, socially-distanced exercise, for the first time in approximately two months.

From 15 June 2020, non-essential retail reopened, and English secondary schools were asked to prepare to provide Year 10 and Year 12 students with some face-to-face meetings to support their home learning for essential upcoming exams the next year. It also became mandatory to wear face coverings in healthcare settings and on public transport.

On 24 June, the Government issued long-awaited guidance documents to pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and other licensed premises, detailing how licensed premises could open safely whilst minimising the risk of spreading COVID-19 (applicable to England only).[62]

Local lockdowns[]

Main articles: COVID-19 local lockdown regulations in England and The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020

From Saturday 4 July 2020, most other businesses were allowed to reopen, except for those considered to pose the highest risk such as indoor gyms, and social gathering rules were relaxed further. Most notably, the two-metre rule was relaxed to one metre apart, where other mitigations such as face coverings were being used. The only legal measure that remained, except for face coverings on public transport and in healthcare, was an upper legal limit of 30 on gatherings (except in 'local lockdown' areas, see below), but people were advised to limit gatherings to either two households in any indoor or outdoor, public or private setting, or to a maximum of six, outdoors only, when people gathering were from more than two households.

By Saturday 15 August 2020, most other businesses, including indoor theatres, casinos and bowling alleys, had been allowed to reopen. Nightclubs and sexual entertainment venues, however, remained closed.

Schools reopened full-time from September 2020, and from Wednesday 9 September, the slogan changed once more, to "Hands, Face, Space" reminding the public to wash or sanitize hands often, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces, and keep a space of one metre or more from others, as well as letting fresh air in at public spaces

First tier system[]

Main article: First COVID-19 tier regulations in England

Starting on 17 October, the UK government announced that London, among other areas, would move to Tier 2 restrictions, following a spike in cases, banning people from mixing indoors privately.[63]

Second lockdown[]

Main article: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020

7 days after the lockdown in Wales, on Saturday 31 October 2020, it was announced that a partial lockdown would commence in England from 5 November 2020, to last for 4 weeks up to and including 2 December.[64]

Second tier system and third lockdown[]

Main article: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020

Through the month of November, mass asymptomatic testing brought the case rate in Liverpool down enough for it to move down from Tier 3 into Tier 2.

After that, a new tiered approach was put into place, to be reviewed on 16 December (with any changes coming into force three days later). For 5 days over the Christmas period (23–27 December), these restrictions are to be relaxed, allowing for three households to meet and form a protective "bubble" during this time period.[65] However this was not the case for residents in and around London[where?] as a stricter "Tier 4" was introduced to combat rising cases.

On Monday 4 January 2021, all four Chief Medical Officers and the NHS England Medical Director recommended that the COVID Alert Level should be increased, from level 4 to level 5,[66] indicating that there was a material risk of healthcare services becoming overwhelmed.[67] Later that day, Boris Johnson announced a national lockdown in England, effectively putting all of England into "Tier 4", which took legal effect at 00:01 on 5 January.[68]

Lifting measures[]

Main article: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021

On Monday 22 February 2021, the UK Government published its 4-step plan to ease lockdown restrictions in England.[69] The first step of the plan, which, amongst other easements, provides for school re-openings, took effect on Monday 8 March. The second step, which involved outdoor activities and trials of indoor activities, took effect on Monday 12 April. The third step, which allowed for limited indoor mixing and the reopening of indoor hospitality venues, took effect on Monday 17 May.

See also[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ Beyond these 3 types of establishments, also told to close were:
    • Nightclubs and other drinking establishments
    • Cinemas, theatres and bingo halls and concert halls
    • Spas, wellness centres and massage parlours
    • Casinos and betting shops
    • Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools

References[]

  1. ^ "Prime Minister's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 23 March 2020". www.gov.uk. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020. From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction — you must stay at home.
  2. ^ "The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020". Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Strict new curbs on life in UK announced by PM". BBC News. 2 March 2020. Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Coronavirus: Welsh ministers to be given 'draconian' powers". BBC News. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Coronavirus: Emergency law approved by slimmed-down Welsh Assembly". BBC News. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Busiest mountain sites in Snowdonia closed amid coronavirus lockdown". ITV News. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Our response to the coronavirus pandemic". Natural Resources Wales. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  8. ^ twitter.com; accessed 20 April 2020.
  9. ^ "North Wales urges tourists to stay home". North Wales Police. North Wales Police. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  10. ^ Wyn-Williams, Gareth (4 April 2020). "Second home owners 'sneaking into North Wales at night to avoid police'". Daily post. Daily Post. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  11. ^ Sharon Harris (8 May 2020). "Wales lockdown extended for three more weeks - says first minister, Mark Drakeford". Barry & District News.
  12. ^ "Coronavirus: What do the new lockdown rules say?". BBC News. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  13. ^ LiveCoronavirus in Wales: Updates on Wednesday 3 June www.bbc.co.uk, accessed 9 December 2020
  14. ^ "Coronavirus: What do the latest lockdown rules say?". BBC News. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  15. ^ Elizabeth Birt (30 August 2020). "Cardiff airport passengers test positive for covid after Zante trip". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Coronavirus: Cases on Tui flight from Zante to Cardiff". BBC News Wales. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  17. ^ Will Hayward (2 September 2020). "UK Government under pressure as Wales and Scotland lead on Zante coronavirus quarantine". WalesOnline. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  18. ^ Morris, Steven (19 October 2020). "What are the rules of Wales's circuit breaker coronavirus lockdown?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Covid: Wales to go into 'firebreak' lockdown from Friday". BBC News. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  20. ^ Heffer, Greg (30 October 2020). "Coronavirus: Wales won't return to local lockdowns after 17-day 'fire break' ends". Sky News. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  21. ^ "Covid: Group of four rule for Wales' pubs after lockdown". BBC News. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  22. ^ Stephens, Lydia (9 November 2020). "Queues at Primark in Cardiff as non-essential shops in Wales reopen". WalesOnline. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Covid: What can you do as Wales' firebreak lockdown ends?". BBC News. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  24. ^ "Covid: Two household limit at Christmas to be made law in Wales". BBC News. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  25. ^ Reporters, Telegraph; Roberts, Lizzie (19 December 2020). "'Wales lockdown rules': Level 4 restrictions coming into effect on December 20". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  26. ^ McCormack, Jayne (15 April 2020). "Three-week extension to NI coronavirus lockdown". BBC News.
  27. ^ "Coronavirus: NI Executive discusses plan for easing lockdown". BBC News. 7 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Coronavirus: NI Executive agrees to lift more lockdown measures". BBC News. 18 May 2020.
  29. ^ "NI's hotels and bars can reopen from 3 July". BBC News. 15 June 2020.
  30. ^ "Coronavirus: NI to move to 1m distancing rule from Monday". BBC News. 25 June 2020.
  31. ^ "Covid-19: Three further deaths, six additional cases". 31 May 2020 – via RTÉ News.
  32. ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19): regulations, guidance and what they mean for you". NI government. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  33. ^ McClafferty, Enda (2 July 2020). "Face coverings on public transport from 10 July". BBC News.
  34. ^ "Coronavirus: All pupils to return to school full-time". BBC News. 6 August 2020.
  35. ^ "Parts of NI to be placed under new restrictions". BBC News. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  36. ^ "Coronavirus: NI Drink-only pubs hope 'third time lucky' to reopen". 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  37. ^ "Executive tightens restrictions to curb Covid-19". 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020 – via Executives Office.
  38. ^ "Coronavirus: Pubs and restaurants have closed across Northern Ireland". BBC News. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  39. ^ "Coronavirus: Northern Ireland set to impose 'circuit breaker' lockdown for four weeks". Sky News. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  40. ^ "Coronavirus: Much of NI lockdown to end next Friday". BBC News. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  41. ^ "Coronavirus: NI facing six-week lockdown from 26 December". BBC News. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  42. ^ "Covid-19: 'Stay at home' to become law in NI on Friday". BBC News. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  43. ^ "Businesses told to close". gov.scot. Scottish Government. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  44. ^ "Scot Briefing". gov.scot. Scottish Government. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  45. ^ Marlborough, Conor (8 May 2020). "Nicola Sturgeon: Lockdown update on outdoor exercise this weekend". Edinburgh Evening News. edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  46. ^ "Scottish lockdown easing to begin next week". BBC News. 21 May 2020.
  47. ^ "Scottish schools to reopen in August". BBC News. 21 May 2020.
  48. ^ "Coronavirus: Scottish lockdown easing to begin on Friday". BBC News. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  49. ^ "Coronavirus: Lockdown easing and face mask rules announced in Scotland". BBC. 18 June 2020.
  50. ^ "Guide to re-opening and scaling up over the rest of Phase 2 and early Phase 3". gov.scot. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  51. ^ "Coronavirus: Scotland's five-mile travel limit lifted". BBC. 3 July 2020.
  52. ^ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 2: staying safe and protecting others (physical distancing) - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  53. ^ "Coronavirus: Scotland retains quarantine measures for Spanish travel". BBC News. 8 July 2020.
  54. ^ "Coronavirus: Indoor visits and overnight stays to be allowed in Scotland". BBC News. 9 July 2020.
  55. ^ "High school pupils in Scotland to wear face coverings from 31 August". BBC News. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  56. ^ "Covid-19: Nicola Sturgeon unveils Scotland's restriction levels". BBC News. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  57. ^ "Covid restrictions: How will Scotland's five-level system work?". BBC News. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  58. ^ "Scotland's five-level coronavirus alert system revealed". STV News. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.[permanent dead link]
  59. ^ "Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid)". Official Report / Aithisg Oifigeil. 2021: 1–36. 4 January 2021 – via The Scottish Parliament / Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.
  60. ^ "How much economic damage would a circuit-breaker lockdown do?". BBC News. 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  61. ^ "House moves and viewings to resume in England". BBC News. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020. As the government has indicated, people can go outdoors with other members of their household, alone or with one other person from a different household.
  62. ^ Poppleston Allen (September 2021). "How COVID-19 changed the Hospitality Industry". (popall). Retrieved 25 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  63. ^ "Covid alert level: London, Essex, York and other areas moving to Tier 2". 15 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  64. ^ Cabinet Office (31 October 2020). "Guidance New National Restrictions from 5 November". Gov.uk. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  65. ^ Belam, Martin (2 December 2020). "Tier 3 lockdown rules in England: latest Covid restrictions explained". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  66. ^ "COVID-19 alert level: update from the UK Chief Medical Officers". GOV.UK. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  67. ^ "COVID Alert Levels" (PDF). GOV.UK. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  68. ^ "Prime Minister announces national lockdown". GOV.UK. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  69. ^ "COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021". GOV.UK. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
Retrieved from ""