UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
THE British Government has extended the lockdown in the United Kingdom by three weeks as a precautionary measure to combat the spread of the dreaded Corona Virus pandemic that is ravaging many countries of the world.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson disclosed on Sunday, as he unveiled strategic plans to lift restrictions imposed seven weeks ago.
“This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week,” Johnson said in a televised address.
Johnson said some public places including some primary school children could return and shops re-open from June 1 and added that air passengers travelling to Britain are mandated to face quarantine measures.
The Prime minister also stated that the government has come under pressure to outline its exit strategy from the lockdown adding that it would be “madness” to waste the sacrifices the public had made since the lockdown.
According to data, Britain has seen nearly 32,000 deaths in the outbreak — the second-worst cumulative death toll behind the United States, and the worst in Europe.
In the “conditional plan” to ease the lockdown, Johnson said it would be outlined in parliament on Monday, but hinted that it centres around a five-phase Covid Alert Level similar to the system in place for security threats, with one the lowest and five the highest.
“As a first step, the new guidelines largely encourage people to work from home but those who cannot to maintain social distancing and avoid public transport”, he said.
However, Johnson said there would be some easing of restrictions from Wednesday, allowing “unlimited exercise”, sport and sunbathing, but only within households.
“In step two, at the earliest by June 1, after half-term, we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into school, in stages, beginning with reception (age four to five), year one (age five to six) and year six (10-11).
In step three, “at the earliest by July… we will hope to reopen at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing”, he stated.
Johnson also indicated that restrictions could be reimposed, including locally, if there is a surge in cases.