Boris Johnson warns not to meet indoors ahead of Easter weekend as vaccines ‘not 100% effective'

Friday, 2nd April 2021, 1:06 pm
Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned people not to meet up indoors (Photo: Getty Images)

Lockdown restrictions are now gradually easing across the UK, with the ‘stay at home’ order now no longer in place in England, Scotland and Wales.

The guidance has changed to ‘stay local’ for these parts of the country, while Northern Ireland’s stay at home guidance will be relaxed from 12 April.

But while rules may be relaxing, with people in England now able to meet up to six people in gardens and outdoors spaces, the Prime Minister has warned that caution is still required.

Can I meet people indoors?

While people are able to meet up in outdoor spaces in all parts of the UK, the rules on indoor mixing have not yet changed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that people should not meet up indoors, even if all parties have received their Covid-19 vaccination.

Mr Johnson stressed that even if family members and friends have been vaccinated, the vaccines do not provide 100 per cent protection and as such, people need to continue to be cautious.

Clarifying the rules on indoor mixing on Friday (2 April), the PM said: "You can meet up as two households or six people outside. Outside is much safer than indoors as far as spreading the virus goes.

"Can I now meet my friends and family members indoors if they are vaccinated?

"There I'm afraid the answer is no, because we're not yet at that stage, we're still very much in the world where you can meet friends and family outdoors under the rule of six or two households and even though your friends and family members may be vaccinated, the vaccines are not giving 100 per cent protection and that's why we just need to be cautious.

"We don't think they entirely reduce or remove the risk of transmission."

As such, guidance states that household mixing indoors will not be permitted until much later in the year, with all restrictions in England not due to be lifted until July.

What are the rules on outdoor gatherings?

Indoor mixing is still banned under current rules, but here are the rules on outdoor gatherings across the UK.


As of 20 March, groups of up to six people in England can meet outdoors, including in a public space or private garden.

Groups of up to six people, or two households, are allowed to meet, outside. People who are in a support bubble will count as part of the same household, but those who are not should continue to socially distance from each other.








Northern Ireland

As of 1 April, people in Northern Ireland can meet for exercise outdoors in groups of 10 from two households.

Six people from two different households can also meet in a private garden.

People are advised to socially distance from anyone who is not in their household.