Daily News
Special Report UK News
More Lockdown Restrictions Eased
From Today in England
How is the UK COVID-19 vaccination
programme going?
• In the UK, more than 35 million
people (around two-thirds of all
adults) have received at least one
dose of a vaccine!
• Over 18 million people (one third
of all adults) have even had the
second dose too.
Cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas
can all open again from today in England.
People are allowed to hug family and friends
again, if they want to, and up to six people or
two households are allowed to meet indoors too.
The new easing of rules is part of England’s
‘roadmap’ out of lockdown.
The ‘roadmap’ sets out four steps and dates.
At each step, more things have been able to go
back to normal.
Today marks the beginning of step three.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that it
“amounts to a very considerable step on the road
back to normality.”
He added that “it will allow us to do many of
the things we’ve yearned to do for a long time.”
However, he also warned that “we must
remain vigilant. So please remember hands, face,
space and fresh air.”
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17th May 2021
Photo: Cinemas can reopen from today in England.
Some of the other changes from today are:
• Up to 30 people can now meet outdoors.
• Secondary school children no longer have
to wear masks in classrooms.
• Restaurants can serve people indoors.
• Sports stadiums can reopen, but with a
limit on the size of the crowd.
• People can travel abroad again, but only to
certain countries.
• Two people can visit someone in a care
home at the same time.
• Schools can organise trips which include
overnight stays.
More rules are planned to be relaxed at the
next stage in the government’s plan.
The hope is that by step four (no earlier than
21 June) everything can reopen and people can
st
see each other again freely.
Glossary
roadmap A plan for achieving something.
considerable Great in size or amount.
yearned Wanted or desired something
very much.
vigilant Carefully watch something for
signs of danger.
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 More Lockdown Restrictions Eased From Today in England

Questions
1. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false according to the article.
True False
Cinemas can reopen in England from today.
More than two-thirds of the population have been vaccinated
with two doses.
‘Step four’ has begun today.
In England from today, people can now eat inside at restaurants.

2. Write an alternate headline that could be used for this story using 6 words or fewer.


3. When is the earliest that step four might begin in England?



4. Look at this sentence: However, he also warned that “we must remain vigilant. So please
remember hands, face, space and fresh air.” Why do you think the author included that
information in the article?





5. Give the meaning of the word ‘normality’ as it is used in this sentence: Prime Minister
Boris Johnson said that it “amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to
normality.”





6. Which of the new changes mentioned in the article are you most looking forward to?
Explain your answer.





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