Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Health bosses have urged people not to get carried away as rules on socialising are eased.

Alison Challenger, Nottingham's director of public health, said: "Take advantage of meeting people in those outdoor spaces but stay with what the roadmap is asking us to do, don't rush it.

"The risk of rushing it means we might not be able to progress with the roadmap in the way we're all hoping and expecting over the coming weeks and months."

Image source, Nottinghamshire County Council

The sentiment was echoed by Jonathan Gribbin, director of public health for Nottinghamshire.

"It's really important everyone continues to stick with all of the guidance that remains in place," he said.

"That includes all of the hands, face and space rules we're all familiar with and it remains absolutely essential that if you develop symptoms you isolate and get a test right away."

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

From this morning, two households or groups of up to six people are now able to meet outside - including in private gardens - as the stay-at-home order comes to an end.

Outdoor sport facilities including tennis courts and golf courses are also reopening, and organised outdoor sports can resume.

Image source, PA Media

Weddings are allowed again, attended by up to six people, but people have been told to work from home if possible.

Non-essential shops, gyms and entertainment venues remain closed while pubs and restaurants are only permitted to offer takeaway food. Holidays abroad are also still banned.

BBC Weather Watchers

Now we have more scope for outdoor socialising, is the weather going to be kind to us?

The answer is yes - with a dry, warm and increasingly sunny day expected across the East Midlands.

Image source, James

Warm and sunny conditions are also anticipated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Coronavirus restrictions have been eased slightly in England as another stage is reached on the government's roadmap out of lockdown.

We'll be bringing you the latest news and reaction from our region throughout the day.

Image source, PA Media

The latest news, sport, travel and weather for the East Midlands.

A theatre company says the Shakespeare play's intimate scenes make rehearsals "impossible".

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

Nominations for by-elections in Erewash have opened after two borough councillors resigned.

Pamela Ashley, for the Hallam Fields ward, and Diane Fletcher, for Nottingham Road, Long Eaton, have stepped down from Erewash Borough Council.

The authority is accepting nominations for the roles until 8 April.

Image source, Erewash Borogh Council

Nomination papers must be delivered to the returning officer at Ilkeston's town hall between 9:00 and 16:00 on any working day, said the council.

Voting will take place on Thursday 6 May.

BBC Weather

This morning we can expect a band of persistent rain to push in from the west, turning heavy in places.

Higher ground may see a wintry element to the rain, but this will give way to sunny, albeit cold, spells this afternoon.

There will be highs of 11C (52F) and lows overnight of 1C (34F).

Image source, Sam's House

The four were caught playing football in a car park when the ball rolled towards a road, police say.

BBC Weather

The morning will see scattered showers and spots of rain in parts of the region, but this should clear to make way for lengthy sunny spells.

There will be highs of 14C (57F) and there is the possibility of scattered showers overnight, with lows of 5C (41F).

Image source, Smiley-Sue

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Boots is opening seven new vaccination centres at some of its East Midlands stores on Saturday.

The company's pharmacists will administer the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and the move means people will have more local options when booking their jabs.

Nick Sunderland, programme director for vaccines at Boots, said: "We are incredibly proud to be supporting the NHS to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations – our stores are conveniently located and accessible. We look forward to welcoming patients over the coming days and weeks.”

Image source, Will Johnston

The sites opening for vaccinations this weekend are:

• Nottingham Victoria Centre
• Beeston
• Newark
• Leicester Fosse Park
• Buxton
• Alfreton
• Derby Intu Shopping Centre

Eligible patients will be invited by the NHS to book vaccination appointments.

BBC Weather

Today's weather will be largely overcast in the morning, with the possibility of some drizzle or light rain.

But the day is expected to turn drier, and cloud will clear to allow some sunny spells to develop.

There will be highs of 14C (57F) and we can expect lows of 3C (37F) overnight, with the odd patch of rain.

Image source, Stuart

Dan Christian will return as T20 Blast captain for Notts Outlaws while South African Dane Paterson joins as an overseas player.

Harvey Blount died on the M42 motorway as he travelled back to an RAF base after seeing his family.

Facebook

Most of us have had to adapt to wearing masks, social distancing and staying at home - but for babies born in the last 12 months lockdown is all they've ever known.

Jo Howarth took this photo of her newborn son just before the first national lockdown.

She said: "I remember worrying about him being so small and getting it, worrying about the lack of formula, nappies, cleaning products and worrying how a pandemic would affect him.

"What a month/year to be born!"

Image source, Jo Howarth

Jo Powell gave birth to her son on 18 March. She said: "We were in NICU as the outside world went into lockdown."

She said he is now "doing well" after celebrating his first birthday.

Image source, Jo Powell

Amy O'Connell was six months' pregnant and enjoying a trip to the cinema on 6 March 2020.

"Now our little lady is almost 10 months old," she said.

Image source, Amy O'Connell

Rob Sissons
Health Correspondent, BBC East Midlands Today

Hospital bosses say the huge waiting list backlog in the NHS will need to be tackled steadily to avoid NHS staff burning out.

Across the East Midlands, the relentless pressure over the past year has left many hospital workers exhausted.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals in Nottinghamshire has discharged 1,455 patients who have had Covid, while there have been 560 deaths among patients who tested positive at the trust.

The intensity of the work has led to a backlog of patients waiting for treatment.

Medical director David Selwyn said: "When we went into the pandemic we had no patients waiting over a year for treatment... now we have over a thousand patients waiting that long."

Pacing the recovery of pre-pandemic NHS services will be key to ensuring staff have time to rest and recuperate after a year which for many will have been the most difficult of their careers.

About 40 patients with Covid-19 are currently being looked after at King’s Mill Hospital - that’s down from a January peak of 220.

The hope is the worst of the pandemic is over, but the hospital trust said it was ready for any localised flare-up of cases in the months ahead.

Facebook

With no clear idea of when we'll be able to go on holiday abroad, you've been sharing the memories of your last "normal" trips away.

Paula Hornblow spent January 2020 on a cruise around the Caribbean.

She said: "My husband and our friend got back to the world getting ready for lockdown."

Image source, Paula Hornblow

Shannon Mee said: "We somehow managed to go to Canada and see Niagara Falls before returning home to the UK and going into lockdown."

Image source, Shannon Mee

Val Browne was one of the last people to enjoy this view in "beautiful Cyprus".

She said: "The hotel closed its doors as we left. An empty plane was sent over to bring us home. Never expected the virus to be around for so long."

Image source, Val Browne

Facebook

You've been sharing your last "normal" photos taken before the UK went into lockdown a year ago.

Bev Surgey's daughter took her out for an early Mother's Day treat on 18 March 2020.

She said: "Had a lovely time. Little did we realise it would be our last meal out for over a year."

Image source, Bev Surgey

Oliver John took this photo at a restaurant on the last weekend before lockdown.

He was out celebrating a friend’s birthday and said everything was just starting to change.

"I remember tables being distanced and staff having minimal contact but who would have imagined all that has gone on over the last year," he said.

Image source, Oliver John

Alex Regan
BBC News

Derbyshire Chief Constable Rachel Swann has clarified her position after "accidentally" liking a tweet that sympathised with Kill the Bill protesters in Bristol.

On Sunday evening 21 police officers were injured during violent clashes with protesters.

That night it appeared Ms Swann had pressed the like button on a tweet from Guardian columnist Owen Jones that said the disorder had "become an inevitability" after the Metropolitan Police's response to a vigil for Sarah Everard that resulted in women being handcuffed and removed.

Ms Swann said on Monday evening she did not endorse this view and she had cancelled the like as soon as she realised her mistake.

In a subsequent tweet, she added: "No one should go to work under fear of being attacked for doing their job.

"The action of a violent few is wholly unacceptable. It’s been an important reminder to me about the impact of social media."

Amy Payne
Reporter, BBC East Midlands Today

This month most children returned to school after weeks of remote learning. It was just one of the changes and challenges faced by pupils, staff and parents over the last year as a result of coronavirus.

I visited two very different schools – a secondary in a socially diverse part of Leicester and a primary in rural Leicestershire - to find out about their specific issues and the way forward.

In both, teachers are avoiding talk of "catch-up" or “recovery” because they don’t want to discourage pupils. But after so much disruption, they admit there will be learning gaps.

Image source, PA Media

So far £1.7bn in funding has been announced for immediate recovery measures but the leaders I spoke to are calling for longer-term support, which the education secretary Gavin Williamson accepts,will be “vital.”

While the impact of Covid-19 on education will be felt for a long time - some predict three years - experts are confident children will bounce back in every way.