LONDON (UK) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce the latest easing of Britain’s coronavirus lockdown on Tuesday. He will also declare the conclusion of a review into whether a two-metre rule on social distancing should be relaxed, his office said.
Britain’s economy has taken a beating because of the lockdown and although non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen last Monday, many businesses, particularly in the hospitality and leisure sectors, have remained closed.
Some Conservative lawmakers have been vocal in calling for him to drop the two-metre rule saying it was having a devastating impact on the economy which shrivelled by a quarter over March and April. But the government has been cautious, saying it did not want to risk a second spike in infection cases.
The PM’s office said Johnson would tell Parliament which sectors would be allowed to reopen on July 4. Detailed guidance would be provided to each sector.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that the PM would also announce a change to the social distancing guidelines so people would only need to remain one metre apart provided they wear face masks.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there were possible mitigations that could allow people to be closer than two metres while limiting the risk of spreading the virus. He said he would not rule out people having to register their details before going to a pub or a restaurant.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field