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Boris Johnson will elaborate on his plan to ease the coronavirus blockade amid criticism that his TV address was unclear.
A 50-page document will later be published in parliament to add details to the prime minister’s “first outline” on how restrictions in England could be eased over the next three months.
Sunday’s announcement included measures that went into effect this week, such as removing the exercise limit and allowing people to sunbathe in the parks, as well as a possible return for some schoolchildren in June.
Johnson also told the nation that anyone who cannot work from home should now be “actively encouraged” to go to work.
The prime minister stressed that his plan was conditional on five government tests to ensure the virus is under control, and said it would be “crazy” to risk a second spike in cases.
But political opponents, companies and unions have called for more clarity.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said Johnson’s statement raised “more questions than answers.”
“I think what the country wanted tonight was real clarity and a sense of consensus, and I’m afraid we have not succeeded,” said Sir Keir.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford told Sky News that it had caused “confusion” and “broken” the closing consensus in the UK’s four nations.
The leaders of the delegated administrations have already said that they will not use this updated message: tell people to just “stay home” instead.
Also criticized was the Prime Minister’s suggestion that students in reception, Year 1 and Year 6, be able to return “no later than June 1.”
The National Union of Teacher Education called it labeled “nothing less than reckless” and said that an instant poll had shown that 85% of its 49,000 members disagreed with the idea.
It is also “imperative” that companies receive detailed advice on how to keep people safe and use PPE to get more employees back to work, the British Chambers of Commerce said.
The two meter rule will continue to govern the lives of people outside the home.
During Sunday’s speech, the Prime Minister also said:
- A “gradual reopening” of stores could start in June
- Part of the hotel industry and other public places could start reopening in July at the earliest.
- “Soon it will be time” to impose quarantine people arriving in the UK by air
- A five-tier Covid alert system will judge how strict local blocking measures and social distancing rules must be.
- People can drive to another destination to exercise and play sports with people from the same home.
- The UK COVID-19 breeding rate, also known as R, is between 0.5 and 0.9, “but potentially only below one.”
- The key message from the government is now: “Stay alert, control the virus and save lives”
Johnson said that since Wednesday: “You can sit in the sun at your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own home.”
However, he warned that the fines would increase for the “small minority” who break the rules of social distancing, increasing from £ 60 to £ 100.
The changes also allow people to meet a person who is not at home when they are in parks, a government official said.
It gives people a chance to see friends for the first time in almost eight weeks, but the two-meter rule has yet to be followed.
Tennis courts and golf clubs will also be able to reopen this week, although, again, people will only be able to play with members of their household.
Johnson said the impact of the changes would be “closely monitored,” adding: “If there are outbreaks, if there are problems, we will not hesitate to slow down.”
He said: “Throughout this period of the next two months we will not be driven by mere economic hope or need.
“We will be guided by science, data, and public health.”
Although the British can return to their places of work if necessary, the prime minister said security should be a priority when traveling.
“You should avoid public transportation if possible, because we must and will maintain social distancing and therefore capacity will be limited,” he added.
“So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.”
New guidance is also offered to employers so that workplaces can become “safe for COVID.”
The new coronavirus slogans presented by Boris Johnson
Johnson also thanked the public “for the effort and self-sacrifice they have made to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and protect the NHS.”
He reiterated that keeping the infection rate low and starting a return to an appearance of normalcy depended on a unified effort.
