After nearly 12 months of living under strict restrictions thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may finally be some light at the end of this very long and dark tunnel.

With vaccinations well underway and the number of new cases falling all over the UK, at last, we may be heading towards the end of what has felt like a very tiresome 12 months but how long until you're able to meet back up with people in the comfort of your garden? Well, that very much depends on what each of the four UK nations believes to be the best way out of their respective lockdowns. 

In the last week, we have heard from all four national leaders on their individual plans to ease lockdown restrictions. Some provide clear dates of when certain restrictions will be eased, whereas others have been a little vaguer. If you happened to miss these recent updates and are wondering when you can meet people in your garden, read on to find out!

England

This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new 'roadmap' that contained the key dates and information on how England will ease out of its lockdown restrictions. Included in this was the date that will allow people to meet up with others outdoor. On the 29th of March, the 'rule of 6' which was introduced by the UK government in September last year will be re-introduced that allows a maximum of six people, or two households, to meet up outdoors. Therefore, on the 29th of March, you will effectively be allowed to meet up to five either people outside in your garden - fantastic!

Wales

Similarly to England, this week saw the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, announced the upcoming plans that Wales have to ease out of lockdown. Unlike England, however, less information and specifics were given for the months ahead and more emphasis was placed on the short-term. 

Here, Drakeford announced that on the 12th of March, a review of the stay at home order will be reviewed with non-essential shops maybe being allowed to re-open from the 15th March. If so, it could well be the case that by mid-March, people in Wales will be allowed to meet up with others in some capacity outdoors in their garden.

Scotland

This week also saw Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, also announce the country's plans to move out of lockdown. Thankfully, these plans were more in line with those out of England and offered Scottish nationals a little more clarity on when they can expect the easing of certain restrictions. 

When it comes to being able to meet people in your garden, Sturgeon announced that on the 15th of March, four people from two different households will be able to meet outdoors. This means that from this date you will be able to meet with others outside in your garden.

Northern Ireland 

When it comes to Northern Ireland, no 'roadmap' as such has been announced yet. However, there are rumours that a potential plan could be announced early next week than layout the key dates and information that will let the country know when they will be able to meet up with others outdoors not for exercise.

Get your garden meetup ready 

So, now that we have some sort of clarity of when we will eventually be allowed to meet others in our gardens and the weather has finally started to pick up, you can start planning on how you can make your outdoor space meetup ready. But don't panic if you're unsure of what to do, we have just the thing! 

Our garden verandas are perfect for providing the much-needed shelter that you may need when meeting up with your friends and family in your garden. They also offer the perfect space to create that indoor feel outside, so you and your guests feel right at home, even when you're in the garden! Browse our full range of verandas by clicking the button below.

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