Lockdown rules in England are to be eased on Wednesday to allow “unlimited” outdoor exercise and anyone who cannot work from home will be “actively encouraged” to return to their workplaces, Boris Johnson has said.
The prime minister also said there will be further relaxations in the coming “weeks and months” – if progress is made in the fight against the virus – which could include a phased reopening of primary schools.
Non-essential retail shops may also be allowed to open, Mr. Johnson said, and it will “soon be the time” – though he did not give a timeframe – to “impose quarantine” on those arriving in the UK by air.
From Wednesday people will also be allowed to meet with one other person who they do not live with, in an outdoor setting, so long as social distancing can be observed ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston said.
While some restrictions are slackening, fines for breaching coronavirus regulations will rise from £60 to £100, however, it is not clear whether this applies just to England or the wider UK.
The prime minister only speaks for England, with powers on health is devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In Northern Ireland, First Minister Arlene Foster has announced that the lockdown will remain in place for another three weeks, although there will be some “nuanced” changes.
Likewise, restrictions across Scotland and Wales will remain largely unchanged, although people will also be allowed out more than once per day for exercise, and in Wales, garden centers will reopen from Wednesday.
The easement plan was quickly criticized by opposition politicians who said they’d hoped for “consensus” among all UK nations.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the PM’s speech “raises more questions than it answers” and the plan lacks a “clear plan for safety or clear guidance”.
Speaking in the televised address, Mr. Johnson said his plan was “conditional” and that if a second wave emerges or the R number – the rate at which Covid-19 is spread – increases then the “brakes” will be put on the easing of measures.
The PM stressed it is imperative that the country must avoid a second peak which could overwhelm the NHS.
He said he’d been “working to establish new guidance” to help workplaces become “COVID Secure” – further details are expected on Monday.
Urging people to go back to work, he said it is better for people to “do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle” rather than by public transport/
“Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance, those in construction and manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work,” he said.
“And we want it to be safe for you to get to work.
“So you should avoid public transport if at all possible because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will, therefore, be limited.
“So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.”
Mr Johnson also announced that from Wednesday people can leave the house more than once per day to exercise.
“You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household,” the PM said.
Mr Johnson said once his “conditions” – the “five tests” pictured below – have been met, he will take further steps to ease the lockdown.
He said if those conditions are met, then in the “next few weeks and months we may be able to go further” by taking further steps in easing lockdown.
-Agencies
