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LONDON: The British government published its plan on Monday (May 11) to get out of the COVID-19 blockade.
The 51-page document, titled “Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Strategy,” provides a summary of how the UK could return to normal life.
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The roadmap is established in three steps, gradually easing over time the strict restrictions that have practically closed the economy. The following are the main points:
HOW QUICK?
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“This is not a short-term crisis. COVID-19 is likely to circulate in the human population in the long term, possibly causing periodic epidemics. In the near future, large epidemic waves cannot be excluded without continuing some measures.”
“In the short term, we cannot afford to make drastic changes,” the government said.
Conditionality
The government says that any of the changed social distancing measures will be monitored to determine if the changes increase the infection rate, the so-called R (reproduction) rate. If so, or if the government identifies critical points, the ministers could reintroduce some stricter measures.
FILE PHOTO: Workers walk off a construction site for a section of Britain’s HS2 high-speed rail project at London Euston train station in London on February 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP / Justin TALLIS )
Any additional decisions on reducing the blockade will depend on what scientists know at the time, so some of the tentative dates for the additional steps could be changed.
THE VULNERABLE
Those in the clinically extremely vulnerable group will continue to be counseled to protect themselves for some time yet.
BACK TO WORK?
For the foreseeable future, workers should continue to work from home instead of their normal physical workplace, whenever possible.
All those who cannot work from home must travel to work if their workplace is open.
SCHOOLS
Schools should prepare to start opening for more children starting June 1. The government’s ambition is for all elementary children to return to school before summer for a month if possible.
TRANSPORT
Everyone (including critical workers) should continue to avoid public transportation whenever possible. Walk or bike if possible. Try to avoid rush hours on public transportation.
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The orientation of social distancing in public transport must be rigorously followed. As with workplaces, transport operators must follow the proper guidance to make their services safe. This will be published this week.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The government will require that all international arrivals not on a short exemption list self-isolate at your accommodation for 14 days upon arrival in the UK. All trips within the Common Travel Area will be exempt from these measures.
FILE PHOTO: A man enters a deserted Gatwick airport in Gatwick, Great Britain, on May 5, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS / Hannah McKay)
These international travel measures will not take effect on May 13, but will be introduced as soon as possible. Further details and guidance will be provided shortly, and the measures and list of exemptions will be kept under periodic review.
HOME BUBBLES
The UK is looking at how to allow people to expand their household group to include another household. This could be based on the New Zealand model of domestic “bubbles”.
NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL
Non-essential retail will reopen in phases starting June 1.
After July 4, some remaining companies may open. Examples include personal care (such as hair salons and beauty salons), hospitality (such as food service providers, pubs, and lodging), public places (such as places of worship), and leisure facilities (such as movie theaters).
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The government will carefully phase and reopen pilots to test their ability to adopt the new COVID-19 safety guidelines.
More expensive
The government now advises that people should try to cover their faces in closed spaces where social distancing is not always possible. People can make their own cotton masks, buy similar products in stores or online, or wear scarves.
GOING OUTSIDE
People can now also spend time outdoors. A person can meet a friend outside if he respects the measures of social distancing.
FILE PHOTO: A man and a dog are seen on a bicycle in central London on May 4, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS / Toby Melville)
People can exercise outdoors as many times a day as they like. People can drive to open outdoor spaces, regardless of distance.
ACCORDANCE
The government is examining stricter compliance measures for noncompliance, as it has seen in many other countries. Previously, a government official said the fines would increase for failing to comply with the new rules.
COST
These measures are extraordinarily expensive and cannot be sustained for an extended period of time. As the UK adjusts the current restrictions, the government will also need to reduce economic support measures while people return to work.
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