Table 2 Key lockdown events from March to August 2020
From: Six months in: pandemic crime trends in England and Wales
| Date | Guidelines |
|---|---|
| 23 March | Government message to citizens is "stay at home". Exceptions for limited purposes, such as shopping for food. Only one outdoor exercise each day. Travel to work is only permitted if absolutely necessary and if the work cannot be done remotely. No mixing with other households |
| 24 March | Government text message sent out via all mobile phone networks to stipulate the "stay at home" message |
| 25 March | Government announces that the police will be authorised in using force to ensure that people align with the lockdown regulations and restrictions on non-essential activities. Some exceptions were stipulated, including for victims of domestic violence |
| 26 March | Lockdown restrictions come into effect through legislation, providing legal force to the lockdown "stay at home" guidelines |
| 3 April | Figures from the Cabinet Office demonstrate substantial drops in transport usage including motor vehicles, national rails and buses. Cycling has increased |
| 16 April | Nationwide lockdown measures are extended for a further three weeks |
| 10 May | The government's official message of "stay at home" changes to "stay alert". The Prime Minister announces that initial steps will be taken to relax lockdown measures. Some professions are encouraged to return to work (e.g. those in construction) but avoid public transport |
| 13 May | Restrictions begin lifting, including the re-opening of garden centres, sports fields and recycling centres |
| 18 May | Rail networks begin to increase services |
| 1 June | The "rule of six" is implemented, which stipulates that people from more than one household can meet but only outdoors. Further relaxation of restrictions, with outdoor sport facilities and outdoor markets re-opening |
| 13 June | Government permits "support bubbles" which permit two households to meet but only in cases where one household is a single adult or single adult with a dependent child |
| 15 June | Retail shops are permitted to re-open but hospitality venues such as bars, pubs and restaurants remain closed |
| 25 June | Short heatwave prompts major domestic transport spike, especially in coastal areas |
| 29 June | Local lockdown measures introduced for the city of Leicester |
| 4 July | Major relaxation of restrictions (excluding Leicester) permitting the re-opening of venues including pubs, cafes, bars, theatres and places of worship, with some restriction. Groups including up to two households can meet in public or private spaces, indoors or outdoors |
| 17 July | Rules relaxed on public transport, permitting non-essential usage |
| 1 August | Shielding guidelines for the most vulnerable cease in England, permitting 2 million vulnerable people to leave their home and return to work |
| 29 August | First football match with spectators since lockdown began is held |