U.K.’s balancing act ‘supremely difficult’
LONDON — Britain tentatively began easing its coronavirus lockdown Wednesday, with some people who cannot do their jobs at home urged to return to work, as stark economic data showed the disastrous effect of the pandemic.
The worst-hit country in Europe with more than 40,000 deaths from COVID-19 according to official data, Britain has been locked down since March 23. As of Wednesday morning, people in manufacturing and certain other sectors were asked to return to work if they could.
GDP data released Wednesday showed the economy shrank by a record 5.8 per cent in March compared with February and the April data is likely to be worse as the country was under lockdown for the entire month. The government is loosening restrictions gradually, for fear of triggering a second peak of infections. Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the process as a “supremely difficult” balancing act.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have semi-autonomous governments, are sticking with a “stay at home” message for now, leaving England to take the lead in sending some people back to work.
The government has faced criticism that its new guidance is confusing. Appearing on Sky
News TV, Transport Minister Grant Shapps was asked why real estate agents were allowed to restart viewings when people couldn’t visit relatives.
“The truth of the matter is you have to start somewhere.
The lockdown message was very straightforward — it was just stay at home. Now as we start to unlock, of course, there have to be decisions made,” Shapps said.
Workers were advised to avoid public transport if possible and schools remained closed, prompting questions about how people were supposed to apply the new guidance.