Milton Keynes lockdown rules: every Covid road map change from March 29 and rules on meeting friends over Easter

From Monday, there will be greater flexibility for households to meet outside in time for the Easter holidays.

These changes are part of the next phase of Boris Johnson s roadmap out of lockdown, as the government slowly reopens the UK's economy.

Here's a refresher on the four stages out of lockdown:

The four-step route to freedom

The Prime Minister announced the four-stage plan in the easing of lockdown restrictions to MPs in the House of Commons last month.

Mr Johnson made a key number of announcements, including the dates the Government plans non-essential shops, beauty services and hospitality will be able to reopen.

He told the Commons “we are able to take these steps because of the resolve of the British people and the extraordinary success of our NHS in vaccinating more than 17.5 million people across the UK.”

“We’re setting out on what I hope and believe is a one way road to freedom and this journey is made possible by the pace of the vaccination programme,” the Prime Minister added.

All dates for each stage of the easing of lockdown restrictions are dependent on four tests being met, which are:

-The coronavirus vaccine rollout remains on schedule

-Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatment

-Infection rates do not surge to the point where hospitals could become overwhelmed.

-New variants of the virus do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions.

What rules are changing on Monday March 29?

Groups of up to six people, or two households, will be allowed to meet up outside - in time for the Easter holidays.

This includes in parks and private gardens.

Outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, will also be allowed to reopen. People can take part in formally organised outdoor sports, including team sports.

The Stay at Home order will end, meaning that people can leave their homes for recreation or walks further afield.

But many lockdown restrictions remain.

People should continue to work at home where possible and overseas travel is banned by law.

The other key dates:

Step two - from April 12:

-Non-essential shops, hairdressers, nail salons and personal care services will reopen at this point.

-Hospitality venues including pubs and restaurants will reopen for outdoor purposes only. A group of up to six people or two different households can meet outdoors.

-Gyms, libraries, zoos, museums and theme parks will open - but you can only go with members of your own household.

-Hotels, hostels, Air BnBs and self-catering holiday accommodation will reopen, but only for household groups.

- Up to 30 people can attend funerals and the maximum number of people at a wake will increase from six to 15.

Step three - from May 17:

Up to 30 people can meet up outdoors, including in pub and restaurant gardens

- Indoor social mixing is allowed, but only for up to six people or two households together

- Indoor exercise classes can resume

-Pubs and restaurants can reopen indoors, but the rule of six/two household rule will still apply for meeting inside.

- Large-scale sporting events or performances will be allowed with up to 1,000 people indoors and up to 4,000 outdoors.

-Bigger football stadiums will be allowed up to 10,000 fans - or a quarter of capacity – whichever is lower.

-30 people will be allowed to attend weddings, receptions, funerals, wakes and christenings.

Step four - from June 21:

- All legal limits on social contact will be removed.

- Nightclubs to reopen and large events such as theatre performances above the limits of step three to resume.

- The Government hopes that from this date restrictions on weddings and funerals will also be abolished.