When will lockdown end in the UK?

PLANS that will provide a ‘road map’ out of lockdown will be announced this week by Boris Johnson.

The Prime Minister, who returned to Downing Street on Sunday, April 26 after battling coronavirus, will address the nation this Sunday (May 10) to explain how current restrictions will be lifted.

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When will lockdown end?

The Government once again reviewed the current lockdown measures on Thursday, May 7 – with Dominic Raab revealing it had been formally extended once again.

But that further detailed would come from Boris Johnson on Sunday (May 10), with the Prime Minister saying in Wednesday’s PMQs that he could change the lockdown measures as soon as Monday.

In the lunchtime meeting in Commons, Mr Johnson said: “We have to be sure that the data is going to support our ability to do this.

“But that data is coming in continuously over the next few days.

“We will want if we possibly can, to get going with some of these measures on Monday.”

This is despite the UK now having the highest death toll in Europe.

Upon his return to Downing Street after fighting off Covid-19, the PM said Britain was now “past the peak” of the virus and revealed an exit plan will be unveiled this week.

He said: “We will be setting out comprehensive plans to explain how we can get our economy moving, how we can get our children back to school, back into childcare, and how we can travel to work and make life in the workplace safe.”

During his speech, it’s expected that:

• Brits will be told to wear masks on public transport and at work;
• more information on when schools could finally reopen;
• official guidance on which type of workplace can open first could be issued;
• plans for anyone over the age of 70 will be revealed

Ministers have also confirmed The Sun’s revelation that workplaces will be allowed to return to work after the second May bank holiday on May 26.

However, it’s understood that in some areas of the country, the restrictions could be tightened rather than eased.

It’s part of a “whack-a-mole” strategy to tackle areas where infections spike.

It could lead to even stricter restrictions being imposed on areas such as care homes, prisons or whole towns.

Minister Michael Gove confirmed this approach on Sunday, May 3, telling the daily coronavirus briefing at No10: “It is important that we make clear that any approach we take is staged.

However, Mr Gove acknowledged that lockdown measures will have an impact on people’s “mental and emotional well-being” – as well as economic activity.

Dominic Raab extended lockdown on April 17 despite reports that the UK is facing its worst economic slump in history

But Mr Johnson says he believes Britain will come “charging back” once the lockdown is over.

When did it start?

Emergency measures were first announced by Mr Johnson on March 23.

The unprecedented step was put in place in an attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus.

In a televised address, the Prime Minister announced police would have the power to fine people if they left their homes for “non-essential” reasons.

He said people were allowed to leave their homes for the following reasons:

• Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
• One form of exercise a day - for example, a run, walk or cycle – alone or with members of their household
• Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
• Travelling to and from work, but only where they cannot work from home

What’s happened so far?

May 5: Contract tracing app began its trial in the Isle of Wight – as UK overtook Italy to have highest death toll in Europe and second globally behind USA.

May 4: It was reported that schools are to reopen at the start of next month, with Year 6 kids expected to be first to return, followed by Year 10 and 12 pupils, while the five tests that need passing before lockdown could be lifted were revealed.

May 1: May Day protests around the world spark fears of a Covid-19 resurgence.

April 30: Johnson hosts his first briefing since his return. Promises to reveal a “road map” on reopening next week.

April 29: Dominic Raab revealed the combined number of fatalities from hospitals, care homes and the wider community for the first time.

April 28: Hancock doubles down on the 5 criteria to lift lockdown, expands testing capacity to care homes to protect elderly and the over 65’s with symptoms and workers that have to leave home to go to work and are showing symptoms.

April 27: PM Boris Johnson returned to work with a speech outside Downing Street

April 26: George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, hosted the briefing alongside Professor Stephen Powis, and spoke about the UK’s food supply chain. George Eustice said panic buying has stopped and 500,000 food parcels have been delivered

April 25: Priti Patel said criminals are trying to “exploit and capitalise” during the pandemic.

Priti Patel said that despite crime overall being down, “the most sophisticated” criminals are seeking to “exploit and capitalise” on the coronavirus pandemic.”

April 24: Drones are set to deliver crucial Personal Protective Equipment and medical supplies in a new Government trial. Grant Shapps has announced the scheme would begin testing next week with crucial items being delivered to the Isle of Wight.

April 23: Matt Hancock announced that up to 300,000 people will be offered home-testing kits to help track the spread of the outbreak.

April 22: Social distancing is likely to be needed until a vaccine is available for Covid-19, according to the chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty.

April 21: Human trials of a vaccine developed by Oxford University were announced and will start Thursday, April 22. Johnson started working again, making an official call to President Trump.

April 20: Boris Johnson tells his cabinet he is concerned lifting restrictions too soon could result in a “second peak” and result in another costly lockdown. This comes shortly after the lowest UK death toll in April is announced at 429. There is also a new therapy being used on critically ill patients and new vaccine trials could be finished by August.

April 19: A government adviser brought some hope, saying the UK had probably passed the first coronavirus peak. However, there was bad news for pubs that could stay closed until Christmas. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson laid out plans for 14 weeks of online learning but wouldn’t say when schools will re-open.

April 18: Scientists draw up top-secret “traffic light” system to ease Britain out of lockdown, but ministers deny it.

April 17: Police set new guidelines in a three-page document on what “reasonable” excuses are to leave the house.

April 16: Dominic Raab officially states Britain will stay in lockdown for another three weeks into May.

April 15: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged the Government to be “transparent” and publish its lockdown exit strategy.

April 13: Dominic Raab said he “doesn’t expect” any changes to be made to the lockdown this week, with SAGE expected to announce the results of their review before Thursday.

April 12: Home Secretary Priti Patel said police would be given discretionary powers to make sure people were following social distancing rules.

April 11: Easter Bank Holiday saw warm weather descend on the UK, with the Government urging people to stay at home and save lives.

April 9: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announces it is too soon to lift social distancing restrictions,  with SAGE to review the restrictions after Easter Monday.

April 5: The Prime Minister is admitted to hospital for treatment, ten days after first displaying coronavirus symptoms on 27 March.

April 1: Cops are told to tone down “heavy-handed” enforcement, after drones were used to spot people visiting beauty spots, and checkpoints were set up at some locations

March 26: Police get new powers, allowing them to fine Brits flouting lockdown rules £60 – or £120 for second-time offenders

March 23: Boris Johnson announced a partial, three-week-long lockdown, telling us to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus. Certain businesses and venues were ordered to close, including pubs, hair and beauty salons, places of worship and campsites

What are the rules about leaving my house?

People can drive to do a country walk but only if the walk is longer than the drive, says new police guidance on the lockdown.

It also states that you can move in with friends if you fall out with your husband or wife.

The new guidance, which appears to contradict some cops’ interpretation of the law, also says people can exercise more than once a day as well as stop to rest or have lunch on a park bench provided you are on a “long” walk.

Police are advising, however, that it is not reasonable to take a “short walk to a park bench, when the person remains seated for a much longer period” or drive for “a prolonged period with only brief exercise.”

On May 3, we reported that lockdown fines could nearly double to £100 for the first breach and then £3,200 for repeat offenders.

It comes after 400 fixed penalty notices were dished out by cops for consistent rule breakers in four weeks to April 27 in England and Wales.

What did the Government letter say?

A letter from the Prime Minister landed on the doorsteps of 30 million households across the UK.

In it, Mr Johnson urges people to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

His message follows a letter sent out by NHS England to those considered “extremely vulnerable” to contracting the virus.

That letter warns recipients that because they have an underlying disease or health condition, they are more likely to be admitted to hospital.

They’ve been told to avoid all face-to-face contact for at least twelve weeks, except from carers and healthcare workers.

How does the UK lockdown compare to Italy and other countries?

Italy was the first Western country to introduce widespread restrictions and has tightened them week by week, banning all but core activities, says Reuters.

It signed an order on January 31 shutting down flights to and from China.

In early March the country was the epicentre of Europe’s coronavirus outbreak, and thus quarantined 16million people in the country’s north to contain the killer bug.

By March 22, any movement within Italy was banned, including across municipalities.

On April 10, the lockdown was extended until May 3.

On May 4, Italians flocked back to work as restrictions began to be lifted.

France went into lockdown on March 17 with police patrolling streets to ensure people only leave their homes for essential reasons.

On April 13, President Emmanuel Macron increased the nationwide measures for another four weeks to May 11.

On April 30, Spain announced changes to ease the coronavirus lockdown by allowing only OAPs out in the morning, and children and a parent in the afternoons

Meanwhile, in the US, each state is reacting in different ways to the pandemic – some have closed schools and businesses, but others have taken a weaker approach, including in Arkansas, where the governor said restaurants could continue operating, if they chose.

On May 2, sunbathers flocked to Central Park in New York and had to be reminded of social distancing rules.

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