Shops, hairdressers, gyms and pub beer gardens will reopen from April 12 in England, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a Downing Street press briefing this evening confirming the second stage of the road map out of lockdown. 

This will see shops, gyms, zoos, holiday campsites, personal care services, including hairdressers, and beer gardens and outdoor hospitality.

Mr Johnson said on Monday, April 12 he would be going to the pub himself. 

The number of people who can visit loved ones in care homes will increased from one to two.

He said: “We think these changes are fully justified by the data, which show we are meeting our four tests for easing the lockdown. 

“But we can’t be complacent. We can see the waves of sickness afflicting other countries and we've seen how this story goes.

“We still don’t know how strong the vaccine shield will be when cases begin to rise, as I’m afraid they will. That is why we're saying please get your vaccine or your second dose when your turn comes. And please use the free NHS tests.”

He reminded the public that one in three people with the virus don't have any symptoms. 

Mr Johnson also said that the government had published its “early thinking of safe return” on gov.uk, which included the potential role of Covid certification and the resumption on international travel.

Mr Johnson added: "We set out our road map and we are sticking at it."

He stressed that there was "nothing in the present data that makes us think that we will have to deviate from that road map."

He said it was by "being cautious, monitoring the data at every stage and by following the rules - remembering hands, face, space, fresh air - that we hope together to make this road map to freedom irreversible". 

What will change from April 12:

  • non-essential retail will be able to reopen
  • personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons will be able to reopen
  • public buildings such as libraries and community centres will be able to reopen
  • outdoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen, with table service only
  • most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) will be able to reopen
  • some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds will be able to take place
  • indoor leisure and sports facilities will be able to reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble
  • weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events will be able to take place for up to 15 people, including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens
  • self-contained accommodation will be able to open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble

Big events and getting people back into theatres next month, the prime minister said would require testing. 

In terms of international travel, the prime minister said the government was "hopeful" it could get going from May 17 to some destinations but didn't want to underestimate the difficulties in other countries and did not want to see the virus "reimported" into the country from abroad. He said there was a "surge" in other parts of the world and there was a need to be "mindful" of that. 

He said a global travel taskforce would report back and a further plan would be outlined.