With more than half of adults having had the first dose of their Covid vaccine and lockdown restrictions set to ease again, hopes are rising that it won't be too long before we're able to see family members again.

In February, Boris Johnson set out his four-stage roadmap out of lockdown, which he labelled "cautious and irreversible".

The first stage took effect on March 8, with schools returning, and further measures will be eased on Monday (March 29), ahead of the Easter break.

Larger groups of up to six people or two households will also be allowed to gather in parks and gardens.

However, progress on the next steps out of lockdown will depend on meeting four tests: the success of the vaccine rollout, evidence of vaccine efficacy, an assessment of new variants, and keeping infection rates below a level that could put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Here is all you need to know about the rule changes from March 29.

Will I be able to see my family over Easter?

New measures will allow either two households or a group of no more than six people, to meet outdoors.

Easter bank holiday celebrations with loved ones can take place in private gardens or public outdoor spaces such as parks.

So whilst you might be able to meet up with your loved ones in their gardens if they are local, you might not be able to if your family lives in a different part of the country.

What does 'stay local' mean?

From Monday, the 'stay at home' message will end and be replaced by 'stay local'. But that begs the question, what does local actually mean?

The government defines local as your village, town or the part of a city where you reside.

The government has not set a distance they deem acceptable, but the Department of Health and Social Care has said: "People should be sensible – if you do leave home, you should stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live - unless there is a justifiable reason not to do so."

What can I do over the Easter break?

From March 29, outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, will be allowed to reopen.

People will also be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

This may provide a much need stress relief for both parents and children alike.

Walks and picnics and BBQ's outdoors are permitted providing you follow the social distancing measures and the rule of six.

Can I book a staycation or holiday abroad at Easter?

Staycations will not be allowed over the Easter break with the roadmap stating UK hotels and B&B’s can begin to open no earlier than May 17.

Non-essential foreign travel is currently prohibited for the foreseeable future to reduce the risk of new variants spreading across the UK.

The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.

What has been said about restrictions in Hampshire?

Councillor Keith Mans, leader of Hampshire County Council and chair of the local outbreak engagement board said: “While the next stage in the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown is that from March 29 we can increase outdoor socialising, it is really important that we continue to do everything we can to follow the rules – staying close to home wherever possible – while observing the hands-face-space guidance at all times.

“Very positively, we are seeing an ongoing reduction in infection rates across the county, thanks to the huge efforts of local people and the impact of the vaccine roll-out, but now is not the time to be complacent and compromise all the good progress made. I urge Hampshire residents to continue taking a cautious approach, while enjoying the new freedoms.”