Lockdown restrictions have left Britons confined to their homes in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus. The British nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have taken very different steps in regards to easing lockdown restrictions. Express.co.uk has compiled an easy guide to show you when you might expect to be able to travel to your second home.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new easing of lockdown restrictions on June 23.

From July 4, the two-metre social distancing guidance will change in England.

The PM has also said restaurants, pubs and cafes in England will be permitted to reopen.

Hotels, B&Bs, caravans, campsites and other holiday accommodation can open from July 4.

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Why are the rules different in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Depending on where you reside, decisions on easing lockdown restrictions are happening at different paces.

This is because they are made at the liberty of each national government.

England began phase two of its plan at the beginning of June.

Scotland is likely to enter phase two of its roadmap out of lockdown next week at its formal review on June 18.

Wales has been dubbed the most cautious region for lockdown rules but is scheduled to review lockdown restrictions next week.

Northern Ireland is likely to make changes to restrictions next week after Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said Monday and Thursday of this week will be “significant days” for executive announcements regarding the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

But for many people across Britain, their minds are focused on potential holidays and visiting their second homes.

Many people are baffled as to why some restrictions have been lifted but largely people are not yet permitted to stay overnight at another property they own.

England

In England, a phased reopening of non-essential shops began on June 1 with car showrooms and outdoor markets able to open from that time.

Six people from up to two households are permitted to meet in outdoor private or public spaces as long as social distancing is maintained.

From June 15 many other non-essential retail outlets were permitted to open provided they are COVID-secure.

Hotels can open from July 4 as long as they institute protective measures such as increased cleaning and social distancing.

In England, two households of any size will be able to meet indoors or outside. It will be possible to stay overnight from July 4.

This means those with a second home should be able to visit that home from July 4 with another household.

Mr Johnson said: “It will be possible for instance to meet one set of grandparents one weekend, and the others the following weekend.”

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Wales

Wales has taken the most cautious approach to easing lockdown restrictions.

People in Wales are restricted to journeys of five miles for leisure and non-essential shops remain closed.

Wales is due to review restrictions next week and the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he is resisting calls to make changes sooner.

For those with a second home, there is a good chance of getting to visit your second home by August.

Scotland

Scotland is still in the first phase of its lockdown easing plan after a review on May 28.

Garden centres and recycling centres are open and people are allowed to meet outdoors in groups of up to eight as long as social distancing is maintained.

According to Visit Scotland’s chief executive Malcolm Roughead: “We hope to have a domestic tourism market re-emerging in the autumn.”

This means there is a decent chance people will be able to travel to their second homes by the end of the summer.

Northern Ireland

Hotels in Northern Ireland are reportedly due to reopen from July 20, although a final decision will be taken closer to that time.

By August 10, non-resident tourist travel, including those with second homes, is resuming in Ireland generally.

Therefore there is an extremely strong possibility people will be able to travel to their second home at that time, so long as coronavirus does not experience a second spike.

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