Boris Johnson Restrictions

Uncertainty hangs over plans to lift the last of the UK's lockdown restrictions

The spread of the Delta variant, first identified in India, has led some scientists to call for a delay, and the government says it is "open" to that idea.

When could lockdown be lifted?

The final stage of lifting lockdown in England won't take place before 21 June - with ministers making an announcement on 14 June.

Sources have told the BBC the government is considering delaying the lifting by up to four weeks.

How will the government decide whether to delay?

Boris Johnson says it's clear Covid cases and hospitalisations are increasing in the UK.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a committee of MPs that the Delta variant is now responsible for 91% of new cases.

Some experts believes a third wave of the disease has already begun, including microbiologist Prof Ravi Gupta, who says the next phase of lockdown easing should be postponed.

Why June 21 lockdown easing may have to wait

Lockdown lifting - the four key numbers

Public health officials have said lifting the last Covid restrictions in England on 21 June should be delayed to "stop us going backwards".

The PM insists the government will be "driven by the data", as it tries to assess if the vaccine rollout has built up enough protection in the population to allow further relaxation of the rules.

More than half of all UK adults are fully vaccinated, and over three-quarters have received their first jab.

What restrictions would be lifted?

The government hopes to "remove all legal limits on social contact" in England:

No limit on how many people you can invite to your home

Pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas allowed to operate without capacity limits

Sports events able to take place in full stadiums

Nightclubs able to open

An end to limits on guests for weddings and other life events

Even if these restrictions are removed, rules on face coverings and social distancing could remain in place, as reviews are continuing.

What about dates in the rest of the UK?

Timetables vary for the easing of rules.

In Northern Ireland, 21 June has been given as an "indicative date" for a number of changes (subject to 17 June review):

Ten people from two households can meet in private homes

If a household has more than six members, the number of adults indoors can be up to 15

Up to 15 people from any number households can meet outdoors in a private garden

Household bubbles (linked households) set to end

Live music in hospitality venues allowed at "ambient levels", no dancing

Theatres reopen and concerts restart - subject to Covid-safety measures

Lockdown measures in Waleswill be reviewed on 21 June.

The whole of Scotland is due to move to level zero, the lowest level of restrictions, on 28 June - but the prevalence of the Delta variant, first detected in India, may delay that.

What am I allowed to do at the moment?

Exact rules may vary between nations and - in Scotland - between areas:

Pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants can reopen indoors

Holiday accommodation has reopened

Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls can open

Indoor visitor attractions, including museums and galleries, can open

Leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools can reopen and indoor group exercise is allowed (with limits)

Outdoor contact sports are allowed

Travel around the UK is allowed, and some international travel can resume (in line with the traffic light system)

Care home residents can receive visitors

Wedding receptions and funeral wakes can take place

Some outdoor events - including concerts and sports fixtures - can take place in front of an audience

Postcode check: How are the rules changing for you?

Who can I meet at the moment?

Rules vary for each UK nation:

In England, groups of up to 30 can meet outdoors and six people or two households can meet indoors (and stay overnight)

In Wales, three households can form an extended household and mix in private homes; up to 30 people can meet outdoors in a public place or private garden

In Northern Ireland, up to six people from two households can meet in private homes (under-13s not counted towards total) and overnight stays are allowed; up to 15 people (including children) from no more than three households can meet outdoors, including in private gardens

Rules are more complicated in Scotland.

Glasgow is now at Covid protection level two, along with 13 other areas - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Clackmannanshire and Stirling.

In these areas:

Groups of six from a maximum of three households can meet in private and public indoor spaces (and stay overnight)

Eight people from eight households can meet outdoors

Some districts have moved to Covid protection level one (down from level two) - Highland, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, East Lothian, West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

The rules for meeting are:

Six people from a maximum of three households can meet in a private home (and stay overnight)

Up to eight people from three households can meet in an indoor public place like a cafe, pub or restaurant (indoors until 23:00, outdoors subject to local licensing rules)

12 people from 12 households can meet outdoors

Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles and a number of remote islands are now at level zero (down from level one).

The rules for these areas include:

Up to eight people from four households can meet inside in a private home (and stay overnight)

Up to 10 people from four households can meet in an indoor public place like a cafe, pub or restaurant

Up to 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors

In all levels, children under the age of 12 are not included in the total number of people - but they are counted in the limit on the number of different households.

Travellers to and from Scottish islands are encouraged to take two rapid lateral flow tests before departure.

What about areas with high numbers of Indian/Delta variant cases?

The government has updated guidance for people in eight areas of England - Greater Manchester, Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire (area covered by Lancashire County Council). Kirklees, Bedford, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.

In these places, "wherever possible, you should try to":

meet friends and family outside

keep 2m (6ft) apart from people you don't live or bubble with

minimise travel in and out of affected areas