Lockdown restrictions in Oxfordshire – here’s what you can or can’t do
When will lockdown restrictions be lifted in Oxfordshire?
Early in March, the lockdown restrictions in Oxfordshire were lifted in line with Government guidelines as follows:
- Schools and colleges have reopened, and university students can return for practical courses.
- Two people from different households can meet outside for recreation, including having coffee on a bench.
- Care home residents can have one nominated visitor with testing and social distance precautions.
The next set of easing of the lockdown restrictions in Oxfordshire that came into effect on 29 March means that:
- You can meet outdoors in a group of 6, from any number of households, or in a group of any size, from 2 households. This includes private outdoor spaces, such as gardens and other outdoor public places and venues that remain open. A household can include an existing support bubble if eligible.
- Outdoor sports venues and facilities including golf courses, tennis and basketball courts can reopen, and you can take part in formally organised outdoor sports with any number of people.
- Childcare and supervised activities are allowed outdoors for all children.
- Formally organised parent and child groups can take place outdoors for up to 15 attendees. Children under 5 will not be counted in this number.
- Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances.
However, many restrictions remain in place.
- You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless they are part of your support bubble (if you are eligible).
- You should stay 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings) if you cannot stay 2 metres apart.
- You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the number of journeys you make where possible.
Future dates for the easing of restrictions will be a minimum of five weeks apart as follows:
No earlier than 12 April
- All shops allowed to open, along with close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauty salons (including in people’s homes).
- Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.
- Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.
- Members of the same household can take a holiday in the UK in self-contained accommodation.
- Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place.
No earlier than 17 May
- People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors, and six people or two households can meet indoors.
- Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors.
- Up to 30 people can attend weddings or other life events, like christenings.
- The remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas, can open.
- Indoor entertainment such as museums, theatres, cinemas and children’s play areas can open.
- Performances and larger events can restart, but with limits on audience numbers.
- Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen.
- International leisure travel may resume.
- Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart.
No earlier than 21 June
- All legal limits on social contact will be removed.
- No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events.
- Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen.
Each stage will be a minimum of five weeks apart, and four conditions must be met before proceeding from one to the next. The four conditions are that:
- The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go according to plan.
- Vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying or needing hospital treatment.
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions.
- New coronavirus variants do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions.
