London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Mar 28, 2026

Covid-19: Boris Johnson warns against mixing indoors as Easter weekend begins

Covid-19: Boris Johnson warns against mixing indoors as Easter weekend begins

People should not socialise indoors with other households even if they are vaccinated, Boris Johnson has said.

As the Easter Bank Holiday weekend began, the PM said "we're not yet at that stage" as coronavirus vaccines "are not giving 100% protection".

Police forces across England have also called for people to obey the rules over the bank holiday.

It is the first weekend since England's rules were relaxed to allow outside gatherings of more than two people.

With groups of up to six or two households allowed to meet, councils and police forces are preparing for beauty spots and parks to be busy.

But, despite unseasonably warm weather earlier this week, the weekend is forecast to be mild before temperatures drop further from Sunday, with a warning of snow in northern Scotland.

Rules have also recently been relaxed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - with people also allowed to meet outside in small groups.

In a video published on Twitter to answer questions about the rule changes, the prime minister addressed the question: Can I meet family and friends indoors if they are vaccinated?

"I'm afraid the answer is no, because we're not yet at that stage," he said.

"We're still very much in a 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% protection, and that's why we just need to be cautious.

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

He later tweeted: "This Easter weekend, please remember that outdoors is generally much safer than indoors."

People wrapped in blankets as they took a punt tour along the River Cam in Cambridge on Good Friday
And despite the milder weather, people gathered on Brighton Beach

More than 4.9 million people in the UK have now been fully vaccinated - receiving both doses - while 31.3 million first doses have been given.

Pfizer said its vaccine prevented 91% of coronavirus cases in the six months after people are given their second dose.

Meanwhile, a recent study found a single dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab offered 76% protection for three months, and this went up to 82% after the second dose.

Police warnings


Several police forces have also issued warnings ahead of the bank holiday. The Metropolitan Police said officers will be "highly visible" in open spaces in London to remind people in groups of more than six that they could be fined.

"After a long and difficult few months, let's not undo all of that hard work now," said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors.

"We can expect to see parks and beauty spots busier than usual," she said, adding: "Don't crowd in open spaces and do follow the rule of six, or, only meet up with one other household."

Other forces have said they will be patrolling parks and beaches, with Merseyside Police planning to remind people that alcohol is banned at some beaches.

Also pleading with people to follow the rules, Sussex Police said: "Warm blankets and hot drinks are the way forward this weekend - not bringing friends or family into your home."

Meanwhile, Police Scotland said if anyone was visiting their local beauty spots, they should do "safely and respectfully".

Rules have been relaxed in Scotland, where the "stay at home" order has been lifted and replaced with "stay local".

In Wales, since last weekend people have been allowed to meet groups of six or two households outdoors, as well as travel within the country for holidays with their own household.

In Northern Ireland, up to six people from two households are allowed to meet in a private garden and 10 people in public spaces.

It comes as a further 52 people died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, according to UK government figures released on Friday - although the data does not include Wales.

The number of cases has increased by 3,402 - the lowest since mid-September.

Police officers monitored people enjoying the warm weather on Wednesday at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham
The small strip of sand at Chalkwell Beach, Southend, appeared busy on Wednesday
Earlier this week, parks an beaches were busy as the UK saw a spell of warm weather, including its hottest March day since 1968 as temperatures topped 24.5C on Tuesday.

Two parks in Nottingham were closed after large crowds failed to socially distance and left rubbish behind.

Forecasters predict that this weekend will be milder, ahead of air from the Arctic moving in from Sunday night and bringing colder weather across the UK - with even gales and snow possible in some areas.

A yellow weather warning predicting heavy snow showers has been issued for northern Scotland from 18:00 BST on Sunday.


Nottingham City Council leader blamed a "selfish minority" for the "extremely disappointing" scenes


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Thousands Rally in London to Oppose Rise of Far-Right Movements
Hong Kong Official Rejects Allegations of Surveillance Orders Targeting UK-Based Dissidents
PayPal Expands Cryptocurrency Services to Allow UK Users to Buy and Sell Bitcoin
UK Minister Challenges Reform Party’s ‘Pro-Family’ Agenda as Debate Intensifies
Concerns Grow Over Meningitis Risk Among UK Students Amid Warning Signs of New Outbreaks
Japanese Grand Prix 2026: Schedule, UK Start Times and Full Broadcast Details
Electric Vehicles Seen as Strategic Solution to UK Fuel Reserve Concerns
Rise of Lone-Actor Threats and Online Radicalisation Drives New Wave of Antisemitic Attacks in the UK
Canada Advances Plan to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations in Election Campaigns
UK Faces Looming Medicine Shortages as Iran Conflict Threatens Supply Chains
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in the U.K. Highlights Urgent Need for Vaccination
Fresh Claims Emerge Over Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit as Insider Speaks Out
NATO Assessment Indicates UK Defence Spending Has Fallen Below Alliance Average
FTSE 100 Slips as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Investor Sentiment
UK Economy Begins to Feel Early Impact of Iran Conflict as Policy Challenges Intensify
Russian National Jailed in UK After Assault Case Linked to Barron Trump’s Alert
Energy Price Surge Accelerates Shift Away from Fossil Fuels in UK Homes
UK Museums House More Than 260,000 Human Remains, New Report Reveals
Surging UK Gilt Yields Reflect Inflation Pressures and Fiscal Uncertainty
UK Issues Updated Guidance on Children’s Screen Time with Focus on Balance and Wellbeing
UK Migration Figures Show Shifting Trends Across Asylum, Visas and Channel Crossings
UK Watchdog Launches Probe into Five Firms Over Alleged Fake Reviews and Ratings
Jaguar Land Rover Halts Production at UK Plant Amid Supplier Disruption
UK Police Reverse Position, Confirm Arrests Will Resume for Palestine Action Protests
UK Small Businesses Face Europe’s Steepest Cost Pressures, New Survey Reveals
US Envoy Urges UK to Proceed with King’s Visit Amid Diplomatic Sensitivities
FTSE 100 Drops Over One Percent as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets
UK CO2 Plant Set to Reopen as Authorities Move to Safeguard Supplies Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Urges Stronger Defence Investment as He Questions Allied Naval Capabilities
New COVID Variant Detected in UK Raises Concerns Over Vaccine Effectiveness
FTSE Russell Moves to Standardise Free-Float Rules for UK and International Listings
HBO Max Launches in UK and Ireland, Marking Major Step in Global Streaming Expansion
UK Signals Readiness to Seize Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels in Escalation of Sanctions Enforcement
Escalating Middle East Conflict Seen as Major Threat to UK Economic Stability
Early Challenges Mark Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit
UK Government Rejects Cover-Up Claims After Theft of Former PM Aide’s Phone
Cyprus Opens Strategic Talks with UK Over Sovereign Base Areas
UK Faces Risk of Sharp Inflation Surge Despite Stable Pre-Crisis Figures
UK Police Arrest Two Over Suspected Antisemitic Arson as Iran Link Investigated
UK Inflation Holds at Three Percent Ahead of Oil Price Shock from Iran Conflict
UK Fuel Prices Face Upward Pressure as Global Oil Trends Raise Cost Outlook
Girlguiding UK Sets September Deadline for Membership Policy Change Affecting Trans Participants
Germany and UK Accelerate Wind Power Expansion to Strengthen Energy Security
UK Moves to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations to Political Parties Over Foreign Influence Concerns
UK and Turkey Finalise Major Air Defence Agreement Worth Billions
Apple Introduces Mandatory Age Verification for iPhone Users in the UK
Diverging Views Emerge Over Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance
Trump Signals Frustration with UK Leadership Amid Diverging Approaches to Iran Conflict
UK Government Takes Control of Hunterston B as Landmark Nuclear Decommissioning Begins
UK Public Inflation Expectations Jump Sharply in March, Raising Pressure on Bank of England
×