THE Government's "stay at home" message will change to "stay local" as coronavirus restrictions are eased at the end of March – but what does this mean for Herefordshire?

From March 29, some restrictions in England which have been in place for nearly three months will change as Herefordshire comes out of lockdown.

"Stay local" is expected to be the new message from this date before the Easter bank holiday weekend on April 3 and 4, with this currently the message in Wales.

Across the border, hair salons reopened on Monday for the first time this year as Wales forges ahead with easing restrictions.

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But in England, under Boris Johnson's four-step plan, on March 29 people will be allowed to meet outdoors in groups of six – or as two households if that number exceeds six.

We've put together a list of what is changing, including what you can and can't do, as the rules are further relaxed in time for Easter.

Will we be allowed to celebrate Easter with our family and friends?

Yes, providing the country meets the four main tests laid out in the Prime Minister's roadmap last month.

Easter celebrations should be on the cards for families, but this will be limited to the "rule of six" – or two households, whichever is greater.

This includes private gardens.

Hereford Times: What 'Stay Local' will mean for Herefordshire as restrictions are lifted before Easter What 'Stay Local' will mean for Herefordshire as restrictions are lifted before Easter

This means you'll be able to get together with your loved ones in time for Easter, but it's understood they will need to be living locally to you.

If you fancy meeting up with your friends for some exercise, outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts and golf courses, will be allowed to reopen.

Football fans will be pleased to hear grassroots football will be able to resume.

Do we have to socially distance and can we hug?

As it stands, you won't be able to hug your grandparents just yet, because social distancing rules will still be in force at this stage.

If you can't stay two metres away, you can stay "one-metre plus" apart – the "plus" means doing something else to limit exposure where possible, like wearing a face covering.

Hereford Times: Hugging will not be allowed just yet as social distancing rules remainHugging will not be allowed just yet as social distancing rules remain

However, the roadmap out of lockdown states people who are eligible to form a support bubble can still do this, "enabling close contact for many of those in most need of support and will continue to be counted as part of the same household".

The Government document stresses it is critical, while the majority of the population is unprotected by vaccines, that people continue to follow the rules.

Can we travel out of the county to visit loved ones?

The Government has not yet clarified its "stay local" message and what constitutes as local.

In Wales, which is currently pushing its "stay local" message after its lockdown ended, their is a rough rule of staying within a five-mile radius of your home.

Hereford Times: Stay local restrictions will be lifted from March 27 in Wales Stay local restrictions will be lifted from March 27 in Wales

But politicians have said that in parts of rural Wales, where the nearest shop can be further than five miles, this is not a strict rule.

The UK Government website says people should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes.

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The current guidelines state that when meeting another person this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your area to do so if necessary.

Can I book a holiday abroad for Easter?

Don't start packing your bags just yet, because the rules state travelling abroad for holidays will not be allowed for most of us at Easter time.

The roadmap out of lockdown states since March 8 "outbound travellers are legally obliged to provide their reason for travel on the Declaration to Travel form".

However, the Government will review if international travel will get the green light by May 17 at the earliest.

This will hinge on various factors, such as any new variants and the speed of the vaccine rollout in the UK and abroad.

What will the rules in Wales be at Easter?

The Welsh Government said that if the public health conditions continue to be "favourable", from March 27 the stay local restrictions will be lifted to allow people to travel within Wales.

At the same time, self-contained holiday accommodation will re-open for one household, organised children's activities outdoors will restart and libraries will reopen.

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But despite people in Wales being able to travel across their country, people from England will not be able to visit at the message across the border is to stay local.

The Welsh Government's lockdown review on April 1 will consider whether all remaining shops and close contact services can reopen on April 12. This is in line with planned re-opening in England.

Hereford Times: First Minister Mark Drakeford, inset, explains why Easter breaks in Wales won’t be an option for English people. First Minister Mark Drakeford, inset, explains why Easter breaks in Wales won’t be an option for English people.

Telling holiday let providers not to take Easter booking from people living in England, First Minister Mark Drakeford added: "England will still be in a position where their rules say to minimise travel, no holidays, no staying away from home overnight.

"And that means they will not be able to take advantage of accommodation in Wales.

"The Government can only proceed on the basis that the law is going to be observed and it's for English authorities to enforce the English regulations.

"We will be talking with our local authority colleagues and with the police next week, just to see if there is anything we need to do to mobilise our own enforcement authorities."