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Review of Covid lockdown restrictions begins this week with hope that measures will be eased for shops, holidays, pubs and socialising

08:55, 15 February 2021

updated: 08:57, 15 February 2021

Ministers are due to begin a review of lockdown restrictions this week.

More than 60 Conservative MPs wrote a letter to the Prime Minister over the weekend demanding all restrictions are lifted by the end of April.

Is it hoped non-essential retail could be allowed to reopen within weeks
Is it hoped non-essential retail could be allowed to reopen within weeks

Their three demands were that schools reopen on March 8, that hospitality reopens at the start of April and that all legal restrictions on movements are removed at the start of May, when more people have been vaccinated.

Here we take a look at the latest reports from this morning's national papers on what restrictions could be lifted and when.

Shops

It is possible that we are just weeks away from seeing High Street shops reopen, according to Mailonline.

Non-essential shops have been closed since the start of the latest lockdown at the beginning of January.

They had been allowed to stay open in all tiers under the tier system in place in December.

Holidays

A self-catering break as early as Easter could be permitted for families in a single household, under plans being looked at by ministers.

There has been confusion over whether people should book a break, with mixed messages coming from the government.

But The Times says ministers are examining plans that would allow people to go away for self-catering breaks.

Couple Stephen and Pauline Trowls, pictured at the Tonbridge vaccine centre, who are looking forward to seeing their grandchildren again
Couple Stephen and Pauline Trowls, pictured at the Tonbridge vaccine centre, who are looking forward to seeing their grandchildren again

Families

There could be good news for families and specifically grandparents who have been starved of valuable time with their grandchildren.

It is hoped that rules will be relaxed to allow children to mix with their grandparents outside by Easter.

The Telegraph says ministers are considering making an exemption to the planned one-to-one outdoor meeting rule for children, meaning grandparents can see grandkids with a parent again.

Meeting up

The Sun is reporting that the rule of six for meeting up outdoors could return this spring.

It is said that the Prime Minister is keen to see a return of the measure which allows for meeting in greater numbers, first introduced in September last year.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the pub and bar trade. Stock picture: iStockphoto
The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the pub and bar trade. Stock picture: iStockphoto

Pubs

Could they reopen from early April? That's what is said to be the plan, although they might be restricted to serving outdoors only.

And that has not proved popular with some pub bosses who have hit out at outside drinking plans, says Mailonline.

There is also speculation that vaccine passports could be required to get in.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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