Rishi Sunak drawing up blueprint to ease UK's COVID-19 lockdown: Report

Britain's Indian-origin Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is drawing up a blueprint to grually ease strict social distancing measures in place to suppress spre of coronavirus and get workplaces across UK up and running again, according to a media report on Saturday.

UK Chancellor of Exchequer, who is at forefront of UK's ecomic response to pandemic, is said to be drafting plans for “COVID-secure” offices to allow n-essential businesses to reopen in a safe and practical way.

According to a report in Times, businesses will have to put up signs telling workers to remain two metres apart from one ar and instruct staff to go home if y have symptoms of COVID-19.

Companies will also be told to close “communal s” such as canteens, unless people are able to socially distance, and to ensure re is a widespre supply of hand-washing facilities and hand gel.

Sunak has spoken to finance ministers in France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Australia about ir approach to relaxing restrictions, newspaper claims.

government has identified a four-fold approach to easing lockdown based on approaches of or nations.

It includes opening n-essential sectors, opening schools and changing working patterns, scaling up of testing and contact tracing and reinforcing hand washing and or protective measures.

Ministers are examining preliminary steps taken by Germany, which has allowed small shops to reopen while observing social distancing. first restriction that is likely to be eased is to allow reopening of garden centres, report claims.

Meanwhile, train companies are drawing up plans to run an almost full timetable within three weeks, with government telling operators to prepare for an 80 per cent weekday service from May 18 in case ministers take decision to partially lift coronavirus lockdown.

UK government must by law review lockdown measures in place at next three-week mark, which falls on May 7. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been off work and recuperating from COVID-19 at his Chequers countryside retreat, is expected to be back to full-time duties at 10 Downing Street from next week. Cabinet is n expected to deliberate on Sunak's blueprint to “get Britain back to work”.

Johnson has reportedly told allies that he is very cautious about easing restrictions and that his priority is to avoid a second wave of dely virus. UK's death toll from COVID-19 was edging towards 20,000 this week, with a continuing daily spike in figures.

However, experts have expressed optimism at some “tentative” signs of progress as number of hospitalisations related to virus have been on downward trajectory in recent days.

government is refore looking at grually easing strict stay at home rules in favour of allowing groups of up to 10 people, kwn as "clusters" or "bubbles", by middle of next month or later.

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