Portrait of the week: A lockdown exit plan, Duke of Edinburgh in hospital and Texas in deep freeze

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The much-anticipated decriminalisation of two consenting people meeting over coffee on a park bench was declared for 8 March under a loosening of coronavirus restrictions announced by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister. On that day all schools in England will open. No earlier than 29 March, groups of six would be able to meet outdoors, including in private gardens, and tennis courts would reopen. No earlier than 12 April, all shops, hairdressers and libraries would open, and pubs and restaurants could serve customers outdoors. No earlier than 17 May, groups of six could meet indoors and foreign travel would be allowed. No earlier than the summer solstice, social meetings would be legalised, even wedding receptions. Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, was to review the idea of certificates of vaccination allowing people into venues or workplaces, though the Prime Minister said: ‘We can’t be discriminatory against people who can’t have the vaccine.’