London will back to normal soon. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that it is “so crucial that this road map should be cautious, but also irreversible”, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out the government’s plan for a four-stage exit from the national lockdown, which will see some sectors shuttered until at least June.
Johnson told the House of Commons that it is “so crucial that this road map should be cautious, but also irreversible.”
The easing of curbs imposed nationwide will begin on March 8 and, depending on infection rates, the country is expected to return to normal by late June.
Step one of easing of the national lockdown will begin with schools reopening for all pupils on March 8, followed by outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households outdoors from March 29. The ‘stay at home’ order will be lifted on this day.
Outdoor sports, including football, golf and tennis, will be allowed to resume from 29 March as well.
From April 12, that is step two, non-essential shops, hairdressers, outdoor attractions including zoos and theme parks, indoor gyms and swimming pools, will be reopened. Self-catering accommodation and public buildings such as libraries and museum can also be reopened at this stage.
Step three would start on May 17 with most social contact rules lifted, as well as limited mixing indoors with 30 people. Cinemas, which have been closed since October, are learnt to be in stage 3 as per the exit plan.
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Pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors from May 17.
The prime minister has pinned hopes on step four, that is from June 21, to see the end of all legal limits on social contact and the businesses can reopen.
The information on international travel and government’s decisions will be detailed in the coming months.
According to reports, the government is also considering the idea of ‘Covid status certificates’, which could see those who have been vaccinated given certificates that will allow restrictions to be lifted more safely.
Meanwhile, another 10,641 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,126,150, according to official figures released on Monday.
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The country also reported another 178 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 120,757. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.
The latest figures were revealed as more than 17.5 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of a coronavirus vaccine.
Earlier on Sunday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine appears to reduce the chances of transmitting the virus by “about two-thirds.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged that every adult in Britain will be given a jab of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of July.
According to Johnson, people aged 50 and over and those with underlying health conditions will now be offered a jab by April 15.