What are the rules for Easter weekend? What you can do

Under the new rules that came into force on Monday, the 'stay at home' message was changed to 'stay local' and the rule of six outside was reintroduced.  

From Monday, the second phase of the first stage of the Prime Minister's road map has allowed us new freedoms after months under lockdown.

READ MORE: BCP urge people to report rule breakers as restrictions ease

READ MORE: Bournemouth beach busy as Covid-19 restrictions are eased

Here's what you can do this Easter bank holiday weekend: 

How many people can you meet? 

You can meet up outdoors with friends and family you do not live with, either:

 - in a group of up to six from any number of households (children of all ages count towards the limit of six)

- in a group of any size from up to two households and each household can include an existing support bubble if they are eligible (you and your support bubble count as one household). 

Where can you meet? 

You can finally meet up with your loved ones anywhere outside including private gardens and public spaces. 

This includes the beach, parks, botanical gardens, allotments and outdoor sports venues. 

People enjoying the beach on Monday, 29 March. 

If you're in someone's garden, can you go inside to use the bathroom? 

Yes!

You may use the bathroom but you must wash your hands thoroughly and go back outside immediately.

If you need to go through a property to reach the garden or outside space, this is also permitted. However, you must maintain social distancing, wear a face covering and sanitise or wash your hands on entering, then go straight to the outside space. 

Do you need to social distance outside? 

Social distancing is one of the main things we've adopted during this pandemic and unfortunately it's not going anywhere. 

You must maintain a distance of two meters from anyone who is not in your household group, even when you are outside. 

Social distancing must be maintained when outside.

Can your friend or family member stay over the night? 

No - staying away from your main residence overnight is not permitted until stage two in mid-April at the earliest. 

You are not allowed to have guests staying at your property overnight including in a separate dwelling. 

Bnb's, hotels and guest houses also remain closed to the public under the current laws, only guests who fall under specific criteria may stay away from their main residence over night. 

What happens if you break the rules? 

If you are caught breaking the rules then you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). 

The police can take action against you if you meet in larger groups. This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing FPN's.

You can be given an FPN of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

You can also be fined £800 if you attend a private indoor gathering such as a house party of over 15 people from outside your household, which will double for each repeat offence to a maximum level of £6,400.

If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.