HEALTH EXPERTS WARY AS PM TO EASE LOCKDOWN

LONDON The coronavirus lockdown will ease next week for most of Britain’s population, Boris Johnson announced on Thursday, as a row persisted over the prime minister’s closest adviser taking a long-distance journey during lockdown.

In England, up to six people will be able to meet outside and schools will gradually reopen from Monday, Johnson said at a news conference where he was again challenged over his aide Dominic Cummings’ decision to drive 400 km during lockdown.

Health experts warned the situation remained finely balanced with new cases declining, but not very quickly.