A timetable for lifting lockdown restrictions has been leaked to the press, although Boris Johnson to outline his plan on Monday. So far only the first step of the return to normal has been made public.
The PM outlined earlier this month his plan to see children return to classrooms on March 8. Under the draft plan, non-essential shops and some outdoor sport would reopen in April, followed by pubs and restaurants in May, and domestic holidays back on the cards by July.
Social distancing could remain in place for the rest of the year, with rules on household mixing slowly being relaxed over a number of months. While pubs and restaurants could reopen in early May, according to the Daily Mail, a maximum of two households will be allowed to sit together indoors with the rule of six being applied to those dining outside. The rule of six would be extended for indoor hospitality in June.
A review of the data around the Covid vaccination programme and its impact on stopping the spread of the virus is being carried out by scientists this week. They are determining the impact the jabs have on reducing serious illness and transmission of Covid to help feed into the Prime Minister’s framework for reopening society in the coming months. The leak of the suggested proposals is likely to infuriate Downing Street.
Speaking at a televised coronavirus briefing on Monday, the Prime Minister warned the lifting of restrictions would be slow as he urged Brits to “be both optimistic but also patient”. He said: “We want this lockdown to be the last. And we want progress to be cautious but also irreversible.”
The number of people infected with Covid-19 in the UK, where most restrictions have been lifted, is approaching record levels in relative indifference, according to estimates published on Friday 25 March.
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