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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Figures from the Office Of National Statistics show that 5.1% of people across Yorkshire and the Humber are currently unemployed. This is the first time these figures have risen above 5% across the UK since 2016. Many economists expect this figure to continue to rise this year as we still battle against Coronavirus.

Back in March 2020, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced the Job Retention Scheme. This meant that  “Government grants will cover 80% of the salary retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month”  enabling many people to retain their jobs and businesses staying in business. It is thanks to this scheme, and the rapid roll out of vaccines,  that many jobs have been protected, and will continue to be protected as furloughing will continue until July of this year.
Despite the government’s unprecedented support, millions of people have been left unemployed as businesses have had to close or let go of staff members.

Katherine Mendes, 58 from Barnsely,  was a PA at a law firm in Leeds for over 10 years before the pandemic meant she was made redundant.
Ms Mendes said she was “quite surprised to see how little opportunities there were out there” when she started her job search after taking some time out during the first wave of the pandemic, believing it would only be for a few weeks.

“It was initially demoralising because I was sending my CV off for jobs and not even getting an acknowledgement” Katherine said of her struggle to search for a new job.

Data from the Office Of National Statistics shows a rapid decrease of job vacancies from the first lockdown which started in March 2020. Although the number of job vacancies has started to increase, the effects of this pandemic are set to be visible over the years to come.

It will be compulsory for children to attend school, when they reopen. Parents who keep their children at home may be fined for this.On the roadmap Boris Johnson announced last week, he says schools will fully reopen on the 8th March.

                Students to return to school

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "The Chief and Deputy Chief Medical Officers have highlighted the risks of not being in education on their development and mental health.

“Schools should work with families to ensure children are attending full time. As usual, fines will sit alongside this, but only as a last resort and where there is no valid reason for absence."

Some parents agree with the returning of students as they feel their education is high priority. On the other hand, some parents fear that the reopening of schools could lead to higher infection rates.

Fans to return to stadiums on May 17^th

Football supporters have received news that they could be able to return to stadiums in the middle of May at the earliest.

William Ives, a Huddersfield Town fan, hasn’t watched a game at their stadium for a year now and has recently seen Boris Johnson’s announcement.

He says: “I can’t wait really, it feels like a weight’s been lifted and I’ve got something to look forward to. Especially on Saturdays because weekends won’t be as boring.”

With normality slowly creeping into the game again, fans now have a glimpse of hope, and can now look forward to the return of the game.