Further easing of lockdown measures will come into effect in England on Monday.
Groups of up to six people will be allowed to meet outside while observing social distancing measures and primary schools in England are to start to reopen for some year groups. Outdoor markets and car showrooms will also be allowed to reopen.
Speaking at Downing Street’s daily Coronavirus briefing on Sunday, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick described the easing of lockdown restrictions as ‘modest’.
Mr Jenrick also confirmed that from Monday, extremely vulnerable people in England who have been shielding from the Coronavirus will be allowed to go outdoors either with members of their household or to meet someone from another household. A similar announcement has also been made in Wales.
Scientists have warned that the UK is at a critical stage as lockdown measures are eased and some have said over recent days that they feel the government is moving too fast in easing restrictions.
So far, 38,489 people have died with COVID-19 in the UK, an increase of 113 people in the most recent 24 hours of data.
Mr Jenrick said on Sunday that the government is “reasonably confident” that the easing of the measures will keep the rate of infection in the country at manageable levels – currently, the ‘r’ rate is thought to be between 0.7 and 0.9.
Photo Credit: Pippa Fowles / No 10 Downing Street under licence (CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0)
