The changes you can expect from 17 May

The Prime Minister has confirmed that England will move to Step 3 of the Government’s Roadmap as scheduled on Monday 17 May.

From that date, we can expect the following changes:

• Indoor hospitality, entertainment and attractions allowed to reopen
• Remaining outdoor entertainment (including performances) to restart
• Organised indoor (adult) sport can resume
• Accommodation including hotels and B&Bs to reopen
• A maximum or 30 people can meet outdoors, including in private gardens
• While up to 6 people or a larger group from 2 households can meet indoors
• Most significant life events can go ahead with 30 people
• Indoor, outdoor and seated events may go ahead subject to new rules on capacity and distancing
• Domestic overnight stays will be allowed
• International travel to resume, with guidance

Please remember: Businesses have been preparing to reopen their premises for weeks and months in many cases and some may choose to reopen on or after 17 May. Before visiting a restaurant, bar or other venue, please check online for details about the reopening plans.

A summary of the changes involved in Step 3 from next week can be found here .

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Social distancing

Government guidance remains that you should stay 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible from 17 May. As part of Step 3, new guidance on meeting friends and family  will emphasise personal responsibility rather than government rules. So instead of instructing you to stay 2m apart away from anyone you don’t live with, the public will be encouraged to exercise caution and consider the risks.

In Wirral, council-run facilities that are planned to return from 17 May include:

• Indoor group exercise classes at West Kirby, Europa Pools and Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre (Bidston). Indoor sports will also be available to book from next week at Bidston.
• Floral Pavilion and café to reopen for events and shows
• Youth activities to start at Wallasey, South Wirral, Bebington, Moreton, Shaftsbury youth centres
• Visitors Centres to re-open at Birkenhead and Wirral Country parks

The Oval in Bebington and Woodchurch vaccination sites will not reopen all their facilities as they are still being used to assist with the COVID-19 response. 

The Leasowe Food Hub has now closed and works will commence to prepare the site for reopening. Browsing will shortly resume at four central Libraries (Birkenhead Central, Wallasey Central, Bebington and West Kirby) and the Williamson Art Gallery will also prepare to reopen during Step 3. We’ll update residents with further details on these services as soon as we can.

For more information on booking and memberships at council leisure centres, please visit Wirral Leisure via: Leisure facilities across the Wirral – Wirral Leisure Services .

You can still access the Order and Collect service from Wirral Libraries by visiting www.wirral.gov.uk/collect  or phone one of the libraries direct.

Step 4 of the roadmap is due to commence on 21 June.

Central Government have advised that we’ll only move to the next leg of the journey subject to their assessment that it is safe to do so.

The council is encouraging everyone in Wirral to:

• Be patient – Shops and hospitality are doing all they can to become COVID-19 secure, please do your bit and be patient with staff who are getting used to new ways of working.
• Be kind – Not everybody will be ready to move out of restrictions at the same pace – and it’s okay to be nervous!
• Be safe – Let’s keep washing our hands, covering our faces and keeping our distance from others to stop the spread of the virus.

A summary of the further steps in the roadmap can be accessed here .