Today (12/4) marks the next stage of the Government's road map out of lockdown, meaning that thousands of businesses have reopened.
Lockdown initially eased on 8th March when children returned to school in England. It was then lifted further on 29th March, when the 'stay at home' order was scrapped and the rule of six returned.
This next stage focuses mainly on kickstarting the economy and allowing businesses to open their doors again.
It means that non-essential retail, outdoor hospitality, gyms, and personal care services such as nail salons and hairdressers can welcome their customers back.
MKFM visited Central Milton Keynes this morning to see the initial response to lockdown easing, and queues had formed outside the popular stores including Primark and Apple.
Residents can visit high streets, retail parks, and other shopping outlets in Milton Keynes so long as they are in their household bubble.
What other changes have come into place?
Today, public buildings including libraries and community centres can reopen.
Restaurants and pubs that have outdoor dining areas can now serve food and drink to customers via table service, and the 'sufficient meal' rule has been scrapped.
Most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen. Woburn Safari Park has said that it has reopened today.
Indoor leisure and sports facilities (gyms) can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble.
Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events can take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies.
Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens.
From today, care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test).
But people are still being advised to work from home where possible and minimise travel.
Indoor hospitality is still closed, as are cinemas, spas, sports stadiums, nightclubs, and other "high risk" businesses.
People aren't allowed to meet friends and family indoors yet, but this is expected to be allowed during the next stage of lockdown easing on 17th May.
You can find the full breakdown of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown here.
