When can we meet in gardens?

On 29 March, the government’s next phase of lifting lockdown restrictions in England will begin.

From that date, which marks the second phase of stage one, people will be able to socialise outdoors in groups for the first time in months.

Currently, you can only socialise outside with one person from another household.

There are a total of four stages in the government’s roadmap, all of which are a minimum of five weeks apart.

Four conditions must be met in order to progress from one stage to the next. These include the successful rollout of the vaccine, proof that vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with coronavirus, infection rates not resulting in a surge in hospital admissions, and new variants not changing the risks of lifting lockdown measures.

So what exactly changes on 29 March, and does this mean you can start spending time with friends in their gardens?

Here’s everything you need to know.

In England, people will be able to socialise in private gardens and balconies from 29 March, depending on whether the government’s four tests are met.

However, you will only be able to meet with groups of six or less, or with one other household.

You will also be advised to maintain social distancing measures.

The other restrictions that will be relaxed in this phase include those around outdoor sport.

Organised outdoor sports will be able to resume, while outdoor sport facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, can reopen.

Additionally, weddings will be permitted to go ahead with up to six attendees.

The stay at home rule will also end in phase two, though the government will continue to advise people to stay within their local area if they can.