COVID-19: UK PM announces ‘cautious ease’ of restrictions, says ‘don’t overdo it’

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday announced a roadmap to lift the restrictions imposed in England to stem the spread of the more virulent mutant wave from B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 strain lineage. In an update on Twitter, the British leader warned that even as the restrictions were being “cautiously eased” it was important for the citizens not to “overdo it and risk all the progress we’ve made.”  

Effective March 29, the UK's PM announced that the Brits will now be able to meet with the family members in a group of 6 and a maximum of two families could mix. Furthermore, public recreational premises and sports venues were now reopened to resume business as usual. Johnson also lifted the stay-at-home orders. He, however, emphasized that employees must continue to work from home or remotely as necessary to minimize the risks of spread. 

“If you cannot work from home you should continue to travel to your workplace,” he said in a Downing Street release, adding that this rule was eased for workers of critical national infrastructure, essential public services, and retail businesses. “You can gather in larger groups or meet indoors where it is necessary for your work, but this does not include social gatherings,” the statement issued by the UK PM read. Johnson, although warned, “If you are clinically extremely vulnerable or live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, you must restrict non-essential movement because of the risk of exposure.” Meanwhile, the UK reopened schools, colleges, and other further education settings for face-to-face teaching.

Funerals and weddings still have 'limitations'

“You can exercise outdoors in a group of 6 or a larger group of any size from up to 2 households,” Boris Johnson stated, adding that the formally organized outdoor sports or licensed physical activity with any number of people will also be allowed effective March 29. However, there were limitations on funeral gatherings and the ceremony was mandated to be organized in a covid secure venue with only a maximum of 30 people. Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies must only take place with up to 6 people, Johnson announced. 

(Image Credit: AP)