Hugging could return from mid-May in England, Matt Hancock confirms
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People in England will be able to hug friends and family again as early as 17 May under the government’s roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown.
Ministers will review how well vaccines are protecting people from Covid-19 as part of the third stage of easing, and potentially relax social mixing rules.
“Until then, people should continue to keep their distance from anyone not in their household or support bubble, and keep up habits such as regular hand-washing and letting in fresh air,” the roadmap states.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, confirmed the schedule in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
Asked whether mid-May would see the return of hugging, Mr Hancock said: “Yes, and that’s the same date at which you’ll be able to travel and stay overnight. That’s in step three which is obviously five weeks after the step two changes.
“We know that close contact is how this disease is passed on and so the reason for that timing is, by then, all of the most vulnerable groups will have been able to have two jabs.
“And we know from the data that was published yesterday that the first jab is very effective in helping to protect you against catching Covid or hospitalisation or, of course, dying from it.
“But the second jab adds to that protection. We do want to be cautious until the most vulnerable have been able to have both of those doses.”
Under the plans announced by Boris Johnson on Monday, England will return to something like normal life by 21 June.
Children are to return to school from 8 March and the stay-at-home order will be lifted on 29 March, changing to “stay local”.
Outdoor dining and beer gardens could open from 12 April.
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