Boris Johnson told Britons in a televised address on Sunday that it is too early to end the coronavirus lockdown in the country, which has been badly-impacted by coronavirus and is now the worst-hit country in Europe. However, he said there would be a change in emphasis and the ‘Stay Home’ slogan has been replaced with ‘Stay Alert’.
People will be able to leave their homes as often as they would like to exercise, and to travel to work providing they do so while respecting social-distancing. Whenever possible, travellers should walk or cycle to work, or use cars rather than public transport, the PM said.
Mr Johnson said that some schools can reopen from June 1, under strict conditions. He also confirmed that travellers entering the UK must self-isolate for 14 days after arrival, although no start date or further details were provided.
The UK’s coronavirus figures continued to improve at the weekend, with 268 new deaths reported on Sunday and 346 on Saturday. New cases are also falling.
Meanwhile, the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has distanced herself from Mr Johnson by saying that north of the border, ‘Stay Home’ is still the central message.
