Boris Johnson has today unveiled a “roadmap to reopen society” on how the United Kingdom will be eased out of lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister revealed a three stage “conditional” plan which would see the lockdown restrictions eased over the coming months.
The lockdown restrictions will be based on a five level “Covid Alert System” to determine how quickly rules are relaxed.
Speaking at 7pm, the PM said: “This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.
“Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.”
Mr Johnson continued to clarify the changing restrictions, saying: “Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity.
“We are going to be driven by the science, the data and public health.
“And I must stress again all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big ifs.”
Mr Johnson said households, from Wednesday, will be allowed to partake in “unlimited” exercise, as well as sunbathing, picnics and outdoor sport as long as it is retained within one household.
He also said that he hopes that restrictions will begin to be relaxed “at the earliest by 1 June”, with the return of some primary pupils to schools in England.
The next stage would emerge no earlier than 1 July “if the numbers support it” when some of the hospitality industry and other public places reopen.
All pubs, bars and restaurants were told to close on March 20 before the country went into full lockdown a week later.
The Prime Minister also added that it will “soon be time” to impose quarantine of people coming into this country by air and that he “will not hesitate to put on the breaks” if there are signals of another spike in infections.
By Matthew Lee
Featured photo credit: Andrew Parsons