A Light at The End of The Tunnel
 
At last, could it be true that we may be heading towards freedom from the Corona Virus Lockdown, only time will tell.  Soon we shall be able to move about freely, meet with our families, relatives and friends, hold birthday parties, celebrations go out for meals together and even get our hair cut.
 
I am looking forward especially to travelling around the Province to see all my friends in the Mark and RAM Degrees, and take part in Team Visits which are a highlight for many lodges, (my own included). How nice it is to give and receive genuine handshakes see smiling faces and share stories from all parts of the Province.
 
Below are the latest details from the Govt Site with regards to taking us all out the Lockdown in England.
 
29th March
People will be allowed to meet outside, either with one other household or within the “rule of six”, including in private gardens.
The stay-at-home rule will end, but the government will urge people to stay local as much as possible.
Outdoor sport facilities will reopen, including golf courses and tennis/basketball courts.
Formally organised outdoor sports can also restart, reopen.
Parents and children’s groups can take place for vulnerable children and where parents need the groups to go to work.
Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances.
 
No Earlier than 12th April
All shops allowed to open.
Restaurants and Pub gardens will be allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors, including alcohol.
Gyms and Spas can reopen for individuals and households.
Hairdressers’ beauty salons and other close contact services can reopen.
UK domestic holidays away from home permitted, with self-contained accommodation able to reopen for use by members of or two households can meet outside the same household.
Children allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians allowed to join them.
Zoos, theme parks and drive in cinemas can reopen.
Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place.
 
No Earlier than 17th May
People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors.
Six people or two households can meet indoors.
Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat customers indoors.
Up to 30 people can meet to celebrate weddings or other life events, like christenings.
Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas can open.
Indoor entertainment such as Museums, theatres, cinemas and children’s play areas can open.
Performances and large events will be subject to limits though. For indoor events they can be at half capacity or 1000 people, and outdoors they can be at half capacity or 4000 people, which ever is lower. For large venues (at least 40,000 capacity) up to ten thousand will be allowed to attend.
Hotels, hostels and B and B’s can reopen.
International leisure travel will resume no earlier than 17th May.
Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can start up again.
 
No Earlier than 21st June
All legal limits on social contact will be removed.
No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other live events. From April the government will run pilots for events such as large weddings, festivals and work conferences. This will help to determine how measures such as enhanced testing might allow large groups to attend without social distancing.
Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen.
 
I have collected some random pictures from the past to Cheer us all up and hope that before very long we will have lots of new Pictures to see from around the Province until then Stay Safe, contact your family, relatives and all your friend’s In the Mark / RAM Degrees, telephone today, TX or even Snail Mail, go on put a smile on their faces.
 
All the above dates are correct at the time of publishing and can change.
Check the latest advice at Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Words and pictures by Austin Fletcher PGStwd.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Marl. No.1173