The PM today published a lengthy plan to get the country back to school and work – without risking a huge second wave of infections.
Last night he gave a statement outlining the three stages of his plan, and today’s document features some of the small print.
But lots of the details are still missing from the huge document, with it raising more questions than it answers.
Boris will give a speech in the House of Commons this afternoon and will reveal more of his thinking to MPs, who will get a chance to quiz him on it.
In a foreword, he said: “This document sets out a plan to rebuild the UK for a world with COVID-19.
“It is not a quick return to ‘normality.’ Nor does it lay out an easy answer.
“And, inevitably, parts of this plan will adapt as we learn more about the virus.
“But it is a plan that should give the people of the United Kingdom hope.
“Hope that we can rebuild; hope that we can save lives; hope that we can safeguard livelihoods.”
The huge plan revealed:
- People won’t get the chance to see their relatives again properly for at least weeks to come – but ministers are looking at allowing one household to see another one
- Brits will be advised to wear face masks on public transport and anywhere where people can’t stay 2m apart
- The Government want all primary school kids to go back to school for a month before the summer holidays
- The public are now allowed to go outside for leisure reasons, but they can’t stay overnight for a holiday
- Sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast within weeks
SCHOOLS
In England, primary school pupils will start to return in phases from June but children at secondaries will not be back in until at least September, as confirmed last night.
Nurseries, reception year children, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils will be the first to return after the May half term.
The documents today revealed that the Government want primary schools in England to go back for at least a month before the school holidays.
That means they will likely be back in classrooms in late June.
However, while kids will be expected to send their kids in, they won’t be fined if they keep them at home, sources confirmed today.
Welsh pupils still have no date for when they may return to school.
WORK
As Boris said yesterday, anyone who can’t work from home should now be able to go back to work.
Documents for businesses on how to keep their offices safe are expected to be released in the next day or so, leaving many still short.
Dominic Raab said earlier the new rules would then come into place on Wednesday, leaving businesses just hours to get properly ready.
TRAVEL
In the next few weeks, anyone coming into the UK form abroad will face a 14 day quarantine.
However, France and Ireland will be exempt from this for now.
More details on the plan are expected, but it’s not going to come into action for a few weeks yet.
Meanwhile, Brits will be able to travel to exercise from Wednesday – no matter how far.
But they must stay within England and cannot cross the border into Wales or Scotland.
It will mean Brits can take day trips to the beach, parks and lakes that are not nearby.
LEAVING THE HOUSE
Brits will soon be able to leave the house for more than just the four reasons listed in the coronavirus laws.
They will be allowed to travel to other places for sunbathing, picnics, and other leisure reasons.
Boris also revealed last night the public will soon be able to do as much exercise as they like, rather than just once a day like at the moment.
That will include sports like golf and tennis which had previously shut down partially thanks to the lockdown.
MEETING PEOPLE
From Wednesday, the public will be allowed to meet with one other person who is not from their household.
But they must remain 2m away at all times.
It means people can finally see friends and family again – but only one other person and at a distance.
These rule changes will only apply in England, and they don’t apply in gardens.
People can only meet up in public spaces for now.
