England steps slowly out of lockdown, and into swimming pools

People can meet in the open air and outdoor sports facilities have reopened, in part thanks to a swift vaccine rollout.

England has taken a significant step on its way out of lockdown, with outdoor meetings and activities permitted for the first time in months, but woes over vaccine supplies and a rising caseload across Europe persist. From Monday, people were allowed to meet outside in groups of six. Outdoor sports facilities such as swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts reopened, with social distancing measures in place. The moves are part of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s road map for exiting the national lockdown, which was enforced in England on January 4.