Government’s 3-step plan out of lockdown

FROM today, workers who are unable to work from home can travel to work if their workplace is open. But workers who are already working from home are being urged to continue to do so.

The Government said sectors that are allowed to open under the first step of easing lockdown include food production, construction, manufacturing, logistics, distribution and scientific research. People will be encouraged to avoid public transport and cycle, walk or drive to work instead.

Schools, colleges and nurseries remain open only for vulnerable youngsters and the children of key workers. The strategy says local authorities and schools should urge more vulnerable children, as well as the children of critical workers, to attend school as there is a “large societal benefit”.

The Government is also amending its guidance to clarify that paid childcare, such as childminders, can take place subject to meeting its key public health principles.

The public are being advised to wear a face covering in enclosed spaces.

People will be allowed to exercise “as many times each day as they wish” with one other person from outside their household.

They will also be able to sunbathe or picnic with one other person from a different household. People may drive to outdoor spaces but not to different parts of the UK.

Those more vulnerable to Covid-19, such as the over-70s, should “continue to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their households.

THE Government aims to introduce measures in step two of the phased strategy from June 1.

It could see pre-school children return to early years settings, and Reception, year one and year six pupils back in school in “smaller sizes”.

The strategy added that secondary schools and further education colleges should prepare to begin some “face-to-face contact” with year 10 and 12 students - who have key exams next year.

Non-essential stores, such as fashion or homeware retailers, could reopen. However other businesses such as pubs, hairdressers and cinemas will have to wait until July.

There are also plans to permit cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors for broadcast.

Local public transport in urban areas could also reopen, but will be subject to strict measures to limit the spread of infection.

The Government is considering if it can safely allow an expanded definition of “household” to allow people to reconnect with close family members.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) is examining if it is safe to change the rules to allow one household to expand and include one other household in the same group or “bubble”.

The Government is also examining how to enable people to gather in slightly larger groups “to better facilitate small weddings”.

THE final step which will see more adjustments made to lockdown rules - which could be introduced from July 4, the Government said. It could see more businesses reopen within personal care, hospitality, public places and leisure facilities.

Some examples of businesses listed in the strategy include hairdressers, beauty salons, pubs, places of worship and cinemas.

But the Government states venues which are crowded “by design” and “where it may prove difficult to enact distancing” will not be able to reopen.

However, some businesses can open in part if safe to do so, while the Government said it will “carefully phase and pilot re-openings to test their ability to adopt the new Covid-19 secure guidelines”.