'Freedom Day': What you can and can't do from June 21 after lockdown easing delayed to July 19 in England
A number of rules changed on June 21 despite 'Freedom Day' being delayed until July 19 in England . Here's what you can and can't do from today.
By Sean Gleaves
Published 21st Jun 2021, 19:55 BST
'Freedom Day' - the date when all legal limits on social contact were due to be lifted - has been delayed until July 19 at the earliest.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there would be a review after two weeks and he was "confident" the delay would not need to be longer than four weeks.
However, he told a Downing Street press conference he could not rule out the possibility the date could be pushed back further.
But certain changes will come into force from Monday, June 21, as life for many takes another small step towards getting back to normal.
So what can and can't we do from June 21?
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However, he told a Downing Street press conference he could not rule out the possibility the date could be pushed back further.
9. You can get a vaccine earlier
Everyone over the age of 18 across England is now being invited to book their coronavirus vaccine. Photo: JPIMedia
Nightclubs are among the only venues still shut under the step three of the government’s roadmap for England. Also shut are "dance halls, discotheques, sexual entertainment venues and hostess bars". The aim was to allow these to reopen at step four of the roadmap, potentially with Covid passports. But that’s now delayed. Photo: Mark Angelo
There are "no changes" to the furlough scheme or other economic support despite the four-week delay, the PM’s spokesman said. That includes no change to the ban on commercial evictions, which is still due to end on June 30. Currently the government is paying 80% of wages up to £2,500 a month as part of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. From July government contributions will fall to 70% up to £2,187.50, with employers having to pay 10%. They then fall again to 60% up to £1,875 in August and September, with employers paying 20%, before ending altogether. Photo: Stacey MacNaught
Up to 6 people from different households or a larger number of no more than 2 households can meet indoors without the need for a formal childcare arrangement. All children can go to registered childcare, childminders, wraparound care and other supervised children’s activities indoors and outdoors. Parent and child groups can take place indoors as well as outdoors, with up to 30 people. Children under 5 who are accompanying a parent or guardian do not count towards this limit. See the parent and child groups section of this guidance. Photo: Sharon McCutcheon