Box 1.

Timeline of changes and restrictions within the UK in response to COVID-19

12 March 2020	Self-isolation measures for people with symptoms
16 March 2020	Social distancing measures of 2 metres introduced
18 March 2020	School closures
20 March 2020	Bars, restaurants and non-essential shop closures
22 March 2020	Shielding for the most vulnerable introduced
23 March 2020	First national lockdown
01 June 2020	Easing of lockdown restrictions
15 June 2020	Introduction of mandatory face coverings on public transport and hospital visits
12 October 2020	introduction of tier level systems for imposing localised restrictions
05 November 2020	Second national lockdown
02 December 2020	Return to local tier-based restrictions
08 December 2020	One of the approved vaccines for COVID-19 rolled out
26 December 2020	Introduction of further restrictions in high-risk population areas
04 January 2021	Second approved vaccine for COVID-19 rolled out
06 January 2021	Third national lockdown introduced