Johnson unveils Covid lockdown exit plan: schools and social contact first

Social contact with loved ones will take precedence over the reopening of shops and hospitality when Boris Johnson sets out his roadmap for lifting restrictions in England on Monday, with school sports and family picnics offered as a trade-off for a longer closure of retail and restaurants.

Johnson will order the reopening of all schools on 8 March and pledge that two families or a group of six friends will be allowed to meet outdoors three weeks later, the Guardian understands.

He will set out a four-stage lockdown plan for the easing of the restrictions that touch almost every corner of daily life, with several weeks between each phase of reopening.

The roadmap will include:
- Rules relaxed on 8 March to permit two friends to meet for coffee outdoors.
- School sports and activity clubs to resume outside when schools reopen.
- Six friends – or two households – can meet outside from Easter.
- Sports such as tennis and basketball will resume from 29 March.