What are the new Covid rules from May 17? From mixing indoors to holidays and events

MAY 17 is just around the corner and with it comes a whole new set offreedoms for Brits after months of tough restrictions.

Under Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown, the rules are due to be eased soon to allow people to finally meet their loved ones indoors.

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What are the Covid rules from May 17?

Pubs and restaurants

The last relaxation of rules in April gave the thumbs up to pubs and restaurants opening up – but only for service outside.

But from May 17, they will be able to fling their doors back open and welcome customers back inside.

Venues will be allowed to provide table service only, with the rule of six in place for indoors diners and drinkers.

Meeting friends and family indoors

From May 17, people will finally be able to meet their loved ones inside their homes again.

It means groups of six or fewer – or two households – will be allowed to meet indoors.

Domestic overnight stays will also be given the thumbs up from this date – but people should still social distance from people they don't live with.

Outdoor gatherings

The rule of six for outdoor gatherings will be extended to the rule of 30 from May 17.

Social distancing measure will still be in place.

Indoor entertainment and sports

Leisure facilities such as cinemas, bingo halls, and theatres will be given the green light to reopen from May 17.

Social distancing will of course still be needed and people may be required to wear a mask.

Meanwhile, indoor sports such as badminton will be permitted once again, and some gym classes will be able to resume.

Weddings and funerals

Couples who have patiently been waiting to get married will be allowed to have up to 30 people attend their ceremony from May 17 – up from 15

That limit will also apply for receptions, wakes, christenings and similar gatherings.

For funerals, numbers will be determined by the size of the venue.

Outdoor and indoor events

It's been a long wait but some larger events will finally kickstart again.

Indoor events such as gigs will have a capacity limit of 1,000, or 50 per cent – whichever is the smaller number.

Meanwhile, outdoor events will be able to welcome up 4,000 or 50 per cent capacity.

But oudoor events which are seated, such as football matches, will be capped at 10,000 or 25 per cent.

Holidays

Sun-starved Brits are readying their passports at they hope to jet off abroad for holidays from May 17.

Holidaymakers have been allowed to go away within the UK since April 12 – but only with people they live with.

From May 17, people can go on domestic holidays with others – providing they stick to the rule of six.

As for holidays abroad, the government is set to unveil as traffic light system on destination on May 7.

It will see the world carved up into green, amber or red zones based on vaccine roll-out and case rates, as well as new variants found.

Grant Shapps is expected to announce that only a handful of European countries have made it onto the first round of the green list, including Malta, Gibraltar, Iceland, and Finland

But hopes of a summer break in Portugal have soared, with ministers poised to also put the popular destination on England’s approved list.

Summer favourites such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece are expected to be on the amber list initially.

They could switch to green when the situation is reviewed at a "checkpoint" on June 28.

All will be revealed when the Transport Secretary makes an announcement at 5pm on May 7.

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