Johnson lays out plan for easing lockdown

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday outlined his government’s “conditional plan” for reopening British society in the coming months, including the possible return to school for some young children at the start of June, as he announced some easing of the coronavirus lock- down in England.

In a televised address to the nation, Johnson said this is “not the time, sim- ply, to end the lockdown this week,” but that it was appropriate to encourage people with jobs that cannot be done from home to return to work.

He said it would be “madness” to loosen restrictions so much that a second spike in cases emerges. The U.K. has recorded as of Sunday almost 32,000 virus-related deaths, the most in Europe and the second-highest pan- demic toll worldwide. Johnson said that without the lockdown, which has been in place since March 23, half a million people may have lost their lives.

“We must continue to control the virus and save lives,” the prime minister said from an office at 10 Downing Street. “And yet we must also recognize that this campaign against the virus has come at colossal cost to our way of life.”

The lockdown has reduced the transmission of the novel coronavirus in the community, but has come at a heavy economic cost. Johnson, who returned to work only two weeks ago following his hospitalization for COVID19, has come under increasing pressure to relieve the pressure on the economy.

He said the government would proceed cautiously but that he was able to announce “the first careful steps” in relaxing the lockdown for England. Fuller details will be unveiled in Parliament today.

Starting Wednesday, the government will also allow people to take “unlimited amounts” of exercise outdoors instead of being limited to once a day, Johnson said. Members of the public also will be able to sunbathe, drive to destinations such as beaches, and play sports such as golf and tennis — but only with members of the same household.

Johnson also laid out what he called “the first sketch of a road map for reopening society” in the coming months, including the opening of shops and the possible return to school for some younger children as early as June 1.

He also expressed hope that segments of the hospitality industry, such as restaurants and cafes, and more public places could reopen a month later.