By Prime Minister’s plan to ease lockdown
Speaking today in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said announcements would be made on Sunday in regards to the plan to ease lockdown.
He added that the government hopes to start lifting lockdown on Monday, following the May bank holiday, after the formal deadline to extend it this Thursday.
Mr Johnson is back today for his first parliamentary prime minister’s questions since he was hospitalised for coronavirus.
His Commons appearance came ahead of a speech on Sunday where he is expected to set out plans for easing the lockdown as ministers hinted that cafes may be able to reopen in the summer months if they can provide outdoor facilities.
The Prime Minister suggested some of the measures he announces on Sunday could be implemented as soon as the following day.
According to a report by The Times, there will be three phases of shop reopening.
It is thought that contact with friends and family will be the first part of the lockdown to be eased.
Shopping centres and offices are not expected to open until the second phase of the plan.
Pubs, restaurants, hotels and leisure centres will be among the last to open.
Today, Mr Johnson told PMQ’s that measures to ease lockdown would begin on Monday “if we possibly can.” He added:
“The reason for that is very simple, that we have to be sure the data is going to support our ability to do this.
“That data is coming in continuously over the next few days. We want if we possibly can to get going with some of these measures on Monday.
“I do think it would be a good idea Mr Speaker if people had a good idea of what’s coming on Monday, that’s why I think Sunday is the best time to do it, but of course the house will be fully informed and will have the full opportunity to debate and interrogate me or the government on that matter.”
Private meetings are expected to take place tomorrow in order to discuss and finalise plans.
Much of the public remain sceptical, after it was revealed that the UK now has the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe, and the second highest in the world, after the US.
The UK Government have continually said that the route out of lockdown will rely on a test, track and trace programme to quickly identify new cases of coronavirus and prevent the further spread of the infection.
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