News 10 May 2020
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Boris Johnson addresses the nation & announces changes to lockdown restrictions

10 May 2020
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As promised, Boris Johnson delivered an important message to the British public regarding the Coronavirus lockdown a few minutes ago. 

The British Prime Minister has announced relaxed lockdown policies which will go into practice from tomorrow (Monday).

Boris has also confirmed the new slogan to be “stay alert, control the virus, save lives” – a swift move from “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives”.

This has concerned many MPs who have argued that the change from “stay at home” will discourage the public from continuing to practice social distancing. 

On Twitter, Boris explained the slogan further. He said, “Everyone has a role to play in helping to control the virus by staying alert and following the rules. This is how we can continue to save lives as we start to recover from coronavirus”. 

He also broke down the steps in more detail and reinforced that the government advice is to “stay home as much as possible”. 

On describing the impact of lockdown on the pandemic, Boris said, “it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike.” 

“I’ve consulted across the political spectrum and across all four areas of the UK. I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, there is a strong resolve to defeat this together” 

He added, “This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week” but did stress that the government is taking “the first careful steps to modify our measures”.

The Prime Minister also said that those who cannot work from home should be encouraged to do so. People will also be allowed to take unlimited exercise and partake in sporting activities with members of their own households. 

He said, “We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home, for instance, those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.”

Boris added, “you can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household” but he stressed that people “must obey the rules on social distancing.”

The government predict that on the 1st of June at the earliest, there will be a phased re-opening of schools and shops. 

By July, it is hoped that if “numbers support it”, hospitality industries will be re-opened. 

At the earliest by July – and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice; if and only if the numbers support it, we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing.”

Boris also unveiled his new alert system which will be used to describe the severity of the virus. 

In a similar fashion to the way the terror threat is categorised, this new threat level system ranges from green (level one) to red (level five).

During his televised message, Boris said that we are currently at level four but moving towards level three. 

He also said that the UK is making progress with testing but that more must be done. 

Boris also said that he will “apply brakes” if any of these relaxations cause a spike in numbers of people with the virus. 

For more news from GRM Daily, take in the government’s plans to change your daily commute.