MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Boris Johnson announces further restrictions to be lifted May 17

Johnson told the English people that “your efforts have so visibly paid off.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Monday announced the gradual lifting of mobility restrictions against coronavirus spreading as he confirmed stage three will go ahead as planned on May 17.

 

During a press conference at 10, Downing Street, Johnson thanked the people for their patience “because your efforts have so visibly paid off, giving us the time to vaccinate more than two-thirds of all adults across the UK, with more than one third – nearly 18 million people – also receiving their second dose and thereby unquestionably saving many lives.”

 

Johnson went on: “And so, it’s precise because of your efforts that I can confirm today that we’ve met our four tests for further easing the lockdown in England.”

The Prime Minister added: “With deaths and hospitalisations at their lowest level since last July and the UK’s four chief medical officers today agreeing with a reduction in the alert level, the data now support moving to step three in England from next Monday, May 17.”

According to Johnson, England remains “on track” to see an end to lockdown restrictions by June 21. “This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road map back to normality and I am confident we will be able to go further. Subject to the impact of step three on the data, we remain on track to move to step four on June 21.“

But between the lines of Johnson's words came the fudgy picture of the new world to come: “And to give business more time to prepare we will be saying more later this month about exactly what the world will look like and what role there could be – if any – for certification and social distancing.”

People in England will be able to hug friends and family once more but insisted that this does not mean people can “throw caution to the wind.

”We all know that close contacts such as hugging are a direct way of transmitting this disease,” he said. “So I urge you to think about the vulnerability of your loved ones.” He said people should consider whether people had had the vaccine – and if so if they had had the second dose – and whether there has been time for it to take effect.

As restrictions ease next Monday the following establishments will be allowed to reopen: pubs (indoor serving), restaurants (indoor serving), steam rooms, saunas, cinemas, bingo halls, bowling alleys, big events (with capacity), sports stadiums (with capacity), indoor events will have a capacity limit of 1,000 or 50% whichever is the smallest number, while outdoor events will be allowed up to 4,000 or 50% of capacity.

The final step of the roadmap out of lockdown is scheduled for June where all measures are expected to be lifted.