Lockdown has eased to allow pubs, bars and gyms to reopen Vadimas, a young MMA fighter had not been able to train properly since the start of the third lockdown. Due to not being considered an elite-level athlete until recently. He said “At first it was really hard mentally because of not being able to train but I realised I couldn’t just slack off it made me realise that some fighters will continue to rise, and others will let themselves fall. I couldn’t let myself do that’’.

However, measures were put in place to be covid safe. For example, regular testing had been recommended by the government; masks were being used in restaurants by staff at all times and customers when not at a table. Also, customers have to book in advance with people they live with.
Measures are also taken by gyms when a person is not actively working out, they were required to wear a mask. In addition to not being allowed to be spotted when performing compound movements such as the bench press, squat and deadlift. As that would have significantly increased the spread of infections.

As part of Step 3, no earlier than 17 May, the government will look to continue easing limits on seeing friends and family wherever possible, allowing people to decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances. This means that most legal restrictions on meeting others outdoors will be lifted - although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal. Indoors, the Rule of 6 or 2 households will apply - we will keep under review whether it is safe to increase this. Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors will be able to reopen. In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place and businesses may not cater for groups bigger than the legal limits.
Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings. Finally, before Step 4 begins, the government will complete a review of social distancing and other long-term measures that have been put in place to cut transmission.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021...

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Business Secretary Alok Sharma lead today’s briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The official death toll has risen by 627 to 32,692.

Mr Sharma began by going through the new alert system that will determine the social distancing measures in England. He thanked the British people for their “hard work and sacrifices” and said it was down their contributions that we are now able to take steps towards level three.

Businesses will need to operate in new ways to stay safe and the government has published new guidance to help them do this. Sharma went on to say the guidance would help businesses implement social distance in the workplace. 

Sharma suggested that workplaces could use barriers, fixed teams and frequent cleaning of work areas and equipment to help control the spread. Up to £14million has been made available to the Health and Safety Executive for extra call centre employers, inspectors and equipment if needed. 

The secretary then went on to highlight the development to the governments furlough scheme, which has been extended by four months today. 

Paul Rodgerson employs bar staff at the local working men’s club. He expressed concern about the government not meeting their targets for the ease of lockdown.

“If the government don’t meet their targets, we won’t be able to re-open. I’m concerned that we’re taking radical steps now and we’ll see a massive spike again”

“If we can’t re-open, we won’t be able to support our workers if the government keep this scheme in place”

“I think that the priority right now needs to be getting us a stage where the virus is controlled before we start to re-open. If we try to do too much too soon, we’ll just be back to where we were in March.”