Timeline of UK government coronavirus lockdowns and measures, March 2020 to December 2021

16 March 10 May 4 July 14 September 5 November 4 January 8 March: Step 1 17 May: Step 3 19 July: Step 4 8 December
PM says “now is the PM announces a 8.şVʐUVWORFDOORFNGRZQ ‘Rule of six’ – indoor Second national PM says children Schools in England Limit of 30 people allowed Most legal limits on PM announces a move
time for everyone to conditional plan for lifting comes into force in and outdoor social lockdown comes should return to reopen for primary to mix outdoors. social contact removed to ‘Plan B’ measures in
stop non-essential lockdown, and says that Leicester and parts of gatherings above six into force in school after the and secondary LQ(QJODQGDQGWKHʐQDO England following the
contact and travel” people who cannot work Leicestershire. banned in England England Christmas break, but school students. ‘Rule of six’ or two closed sectors of the spread of the Omicron
from home should return warns restrictions households allowed for economy reopened (e.g. variant.
19 March to the workplace but avoid More restrictions are eased 22 September in England will get Recreation in an indoor social gatherings. nightclubs).
24 November 10 December
PM says the UK can public transport in England, including PM announces new tougher outdoor public
PM announces up Face masks become
“turn tide of coronavirus” reopening of pubs, restrictions in England, spaces will be Indoor venues will
to three households compulsory in most public
in 12 weeks restaurants, hairdressers. including a return to 6 January allowed between reopen, including pubs,
will be able to meet indoor venues under Plan B.
working from home England enters two people. restaurants, cinemas.
up during during a
23 March 18 July and 10pm curfew for third national
ʐYHGD\&KULVWPDV 15 December
30DQQRXQFHVWKHʐUVW Local authorities in hospitality sector lockdown ‘Stay at home’ order Up to 10,000 spectators
period of 23 to 27 NHS Covid Pass becomes
lockdown in the UK, England gain additional remains in place. can attend the very largest
December PDQGDWRU\LQVSHFLʐF
ordering people to powers to enforce social 30 September outdoor-seated venues
distancing 29 March: Step 1 like football stadiums. settings, such as
“stay at home” PM says UK at a
Outdoor gatherings nightclubs under Plan B.
“critical moment” in the
25 March crisis and would “not of either six people or
Coronavirus Act 2020 hesitate” to impose two households will be
gets Royal Assent further restrictions if allowed, including in
needed needed private gardens. Outdoor
sports facilities also
26 March reopen.
Lockdown measures
legally come into force ‘Stay at home’ order ends
but people encouraged to
stay local.

2021

July August September October November December

March April May June July August September October November December January February March April May June

16 April 1 June 3 August 14 October 2 December 15 February 12 April: Step 2 14 June: Step 4 14 September
Lockdown extended Phased re-opening of Eat Out to Help Out A new three-tier system Second lockdown Hotel quarantine Non-essential retail, 30FRQʐUPVWKDW6WHS PM unveils England’s
for “at least” three schools in England VFKHPHRʏHULQJD of Covid-19 restrictions ends after four weeks for travellers hairdressers, public of the roadmap will be winter plan for Covid –
weeks. Government 50% discount on meals starts in England and England returns arriving in buildings (e.g. libraries delayed by four weeks, ‘Plan B’ to be used if the
VHWVRXWʐYHWHVWVWKDW up to £10 per person, to a stricter England from and museums) reopen. until 19 July, as the NHS is coming under
must be met before 15 June begins in the UK 31 October three-tier system of 33 high-risk government accelerates “unsustainable pressure”,
restrictions are eased Non-essential shops PM announces a second restrictions countries begins Outdoor venues, the vaccination and includes measures
reopen in England 14 August lockdown in England to including pubs and programme. such as face masks.
30 April Lockdown restrictions prevent a “medical and 15 December 22 February restaurants, zoos and
PM says “we are eased further, including moral disaster” for PM says Christmas rules PM publishes theme parks also open, Restrictions on weddings
23 June and funerals abolished.
past the peak” of the reopening indoor the NHS will still be relaxed but a roadmap as well as indoor leisure
pandemic PM says UK’s “national theatres, bowling alleys urges the public to keep for lifting the (e.g. gyms).
hibernation” coming and soft play celebrations “short” and lockdown
to an end – announces “small”
relaxing of restrictions Self-contained holiday
and 2m social accommodation opens.
19 December
distancing rule
PM announces tougher Wider social contact
restrictions for London rules continue to apply
29 June
and South East England, in all settings – no
Matt Hancock ZLWKDQHZ7LHUŞ6WD\ indoor mixing between
announces that the UK’s at Home’ alert level. GLʏHUHQWKRXVHKROGV
ʐUVWORFDOORFNGRZQ Christmas mixing rules allowed.
would be applied in tightened.
Leicester and parts of
Leicestershire
21 December
7LHUUHVWULFWLRQVFRPH
into force in London and
South East England

26 December
Lockdown / restrictions introduced Lockdown restrictions eased PM / government announcements Legislation / emergency powers
More areas of England
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Source: Institute for Government analysis.