What's being axed?
RULE OF SIX
There will be no legal limits on social contact, meaning groups will not have to limit themselves to six people or two households if they are mixing indoors.
Groups outdoors can be as large as people want them to be.
WEDDING AND FUNERAL CAP
The limits on attendance at weddings, funerals and other major life events are being scrapped.
Limits on attendance at weddings, funerals and other major life events will be scrapped under the new plans. (Stock image)
ART AND SPORT VENUE LIMITS
There will be no more restrictions on the size of an audience at a concert or a show, or a crowd at a sports fixture, which means theatres and stadiums can run at full capacity.
NIGHTCLUBS
All other legal requirements for venues to close will be lifted, allowing night-time industries – including nightclubs – to reopen for the first time since the pandemic began.
SINGING CURBS
No restrictions on singing, or even guidance to restrict it. It means singing by church choirs can continue – as can karaoke nights.
What's guidance not law?
FACE MASKS
Legal rules mandating the wearing of face masks will be axed.
However, guidance will state that people should wear them in hospitals and care homes as well as in 'crowded public spaces'.
It will also suggest that people should wear masks in places where cases are rising.
Transport services such as the London Underground may decide to make wearing masks a condition of travel.
Private companies will be allowed to make them a requirement for entry, as Ryanair has already announced on its flights.
Legal rules mandating the wearing of face masks will be axed but guidance will state that people should wear them in hospitals and care homes as well as in 'crowded public spaces'. (Stock image)
GOING TO PUBS
It will no longer be a legal requirement to scan a QR code on entry to a venue as part of the test and trace system.
However, venues will be allowed to make use of the codes a requirement for entry if they choose.
It will also no longer be a legal requirement for pubs to require customers to order drinks at their tables. However, some pub chains may continue this – meaning that people will still not be able to go to the bar if an individual pub bans it.
ONE-METRE RULE
The one-metre rule will be scrapped in law – meaning fewer Perspex screens in offices.
It also means hospitality businesses like pubs and restaurants won't have to limit customers to ensure they are spaced apart.
However, the one-metre rule will continue to be enforced at borders, such as in airports, amid concern over people coming into the country with variants.
WORKING FROM HOME
The Government's 'work from home' message will end and employers will be able to start to plan a return to the workplace.
But it will still be up to individual employers. Some may decide to
