Sheffield people give their verdict on the Prime Minister’s ‘roadmap’ plan to ease lockdown

The plan, which is divided into four ‘steps’ will see lockdown measures being lifted across March, April and June, meaning people will have more freedom to socialise with family and friends.

The government is hoping to have all current restrictions lifted by June 21, which includes mask-wearing and social distancing rules.

Step one will begin on March 8 as by this point everyone in the top four vaccine priority cohorts – as determined by the independent JCVI – will have received the first dose of their vaccine and developed the necessary protection from it.

It includes a return for schools and colleges as well as practical higher education courses at universities.

The Stay at Home requirement will remain, but people can leave home for recreation outdoors such as a coffee or picnic with their household or support bubble, or with one person outside their household.

As part of step one, there will be further limited changes from 29 March, which is the week in which most schools will break up for Easter. Outdoor gatherings of either three people or two households will also be allowed, providing greater flexibility for families to see each other.

The Stay at Home order will also end, and you can travel to meet family and meet with people in private gardens.

From April 12, most outdoor attractions and hospitality businesses can open as well as self-contained accommodation, such as holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households.

By May 17, outdoors, the majority of social contact rules will be lifted - although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal.

Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will also reopen.

Our readers have now spoken about the four-step plan – this is what people in Sheffield had to say about it.

Pat Bradshaw said on Facebook: “I think the road map is ok as long as this is the end on June 21st and to come back in May and Boris saying it will be Christmas he's said things like this before and it's never happened I'll believe it when I see it.”

Carol Brown said: “The need for caution is obvious. Still, no acknowledgement that this is a virus with the sole purpose of replicating itself, spreading and mutating as much as possible, and is not moved by the PM’s smooth talk our wish to return to “normal”. The roadmap is just PR, designed to make us think he’s actually doing something constructive. He’s not.”

Sarah Birch said on Twitter: “Not saying I don’t have any mates however my personal roadmap includes a select few people but mainly getting my hair, nails and eyebrows done ASAP.”

@SJHMX said: “What's mad about this roadmap out of lockdown is now they’ve given a set date for everything opening up, people are gonna go wild on that date whether it’s safe or not. June 21st is gonna be mad whether it’s safe or not.”