Tue 12 May 2020:
The UK government published a three-step coronavirus recovery plan, a day after a speech by Prime Minister Boris Johnson was widely criticized for being vague.
The planned stages start with a first easing on Wednesday, followed by potential further steps on June 1 and “not before July 4,” depending on conditions at the time.
Here’s what’s happening in each step:
- Phase 1: Beginning Wednesday, people will be allowed to leave the house for outdoor recreation and leisure with members of their household, and individuals can meet with one other person outside their household. People in England can also drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance. Workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open — ideally not traveling on public transport.
- Phase 2: Beginning June 1, the UK will allow “non-essential retail” businesses to reopen if it is safe for them to follow social distancing guidelines. The government said some schools should also prepare to begin to open for more children from June 1.
- Phase 3: Depending on how the initial easing of restrictions impacts the UK’s infection rate, the UK government may allow more businesses to open in July, no earlier than July 4.
“The precise timetable for these adjustments will depend on the infection risk at each point, and the effectiveness of the Government’s mitigation measures like contact tracing,” said the government document. “Initially, the gap between steps will need to be several weeks, to allow sufficient time for monitoring.”
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