Ely Cathedral, Oliver Cromwell’s House, The Stained Glass Museum and Ely Museum are among the venues reopening with Covid-secure measures in place when lockdown lifts from Monday May 17.

The reopening comes as revellers will be able to enjoy food and drink inside with the reopening of indoor hospitality.

Friends and relatives, meanwhile, will be given the choice on whether to socially distance from one another.

Exciting News! From next Monday (17 May) we will be open again to Visitors and we can't wait to see you...

Posted by Ely Cathedral on Monday, 10 May 2021

Following the Prime Minister's confirmation that measures are to ease significantly, here's what is set to change under step three of the Government's road map.

- What will be allowed indoors?

Gatherings inside homes are to be permitted once again, with a limit of up to six people or two households meeting indoors.

A return to indoor museums, cinemas, restaurants and pubs is also on the cards - and this time without any 10pm curfews.

Pub-goers will also be free to meet for a pint without being required to buy a substantial meal, but they must order, eat and drink while seated.

%image(15916819, type="article-full", alt="The Stained Glass Museum reopens on Tuesday May 18. Its new opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-3.30pm. As well as 130 examples of stained glass from the medieval to the modern on display, there are also temporary exhibitions. These include ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor’, which was made during lockdown by the artist Rachel Mulligan and inspired by the pandemic. There is also the museum’s newest exhibition, ‘Journeys: to Wharfe from Thames and Tawe’. The museum’s stained glass workshops also return this June.")

Business owners must follow Covid safety guidelines including making sure they do not cater for groups beyond the legal limits.

- How are social contact rules changing?

People will be given an individual choice on whether to socially distance from close friends and family from different households, meaning loved ones will be allowed to hug for the first time in over a year.

But the Government is urging people to remain "cautious" about the risks that come with close personal contact and told to keep in mind that some are more vulnerable to severe illness from the virus than others.

Wider social-distancing rules will remain in place in adult social care, medical, retail, hospitality and business settings.

%image(15916820, type="article-full", alt="Oliver Cromwell's House in Ely has been busy planning and preparing the house ready for its new audio-guided tour for both adults and family visits. Their 'escape room challenge’ is also available to book.")

- Which outdoor activities will be allowed?

As summer approaches, people in England will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 people.

The Government's road map advises people to "decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances" when arranging to meet.

- What about life events?

Up to 30 people will be able to join together to celebrate weddings, receptions, wakes and religious ceremonies like bar mitzvahs and christenings.

The Government will also lift the cap on the numbers attending funerals, in line with how many people can be safely accommodated in venues.

%image(15916821, type="article-full", alt="Guided tours at Ely Cathedral will be available to book in advance online including tower tours and the monastic tours and tea. The cathedral carries the ‘Good To Go’ award from Visit England and has measures in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff and volunteers.")

- Will performances and sporting events resume?

May 17 will herald a return to theatres and indoor sporting arenas, with a maximum capacity of 1,000 people.

Outdoor arenas will be able to host live events with a maximum number of 4,000 attendees, or for large outdoor seated venues where crowds can be spread out, up to 10,000.

- Are there any changes to education and work?

Yes. All university students in England can return to campus next week for in-person teaching, with those returning expected to get tested twice a week throughout the rest of the summer term.

Face coverings for pupils will no longer be recommended in classrooms or in communal areas in secondary schools and colleges.

Meanwhile, Government guidance continues to advise employees to work from home where they can.

%image(15916822, type="article-full", alt="The Maltings Ely team say "we have been busy preparing, following all the guidelines and booking in loads of events to welcome you all back. We are looking forward to seeing you all again in our beautiful venue whether it is for cinema, boogie nights, weddings or you just want to come and say hello.”")

- Is it safe to book foreign holidays?

The current ban on overseas holidays will lift on May 17 and Prime Minister has previously announced the green list countries Britons will be allowed to travel to without having to quarantine, providing they take one post-arrival test.

Portugal, Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands - plus several small remote islands which are British Overseas Territories are currently on this list.

Within England, all remaining accommodation including hotels, hostels and B&Bs can re-open, with domestic overnight stays allowed in groups of up to 6 people or two households.