The PM today published a lengthy plan to get the country back to normal – 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 now gives the nation some details.
It says: “While most journeys to work involve people travelling either by bike, by car or on foot, public transport takes a significant number of people to work across the country, but particularly in urban centres and at peak times.
“As more people return to work, the number of journeys on public transport will also increase.
“This is why the Government is working with public transport providers to bring services back towards pre-COVID-19 levels as quickly as possible.
“This roadmap takes the impact on public transport into account in the proposed phased easing of measures.”
For now the Government urged Brits to avoid public transport, and cycle, walk or drive where possible.
Britain’s public transport can handle just one in ten commuters when coronavirus lockdown is relaxed, Grant Shapps warned last week.
The Transport Secretary previously announced a £2billion package to “put cycling and walking at the heart of the country’s transport policy”.
Brits were also urged to wear face coverings in public to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The PM said that homemade masks should be worn in enclosed spaces where social distancing isn’t possible or where you may come into contact with people from outside of your household.
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.”
But the PM warned Britain that the only way out of a complete lockdown was finding a vaccine – and there was still a chance that could never happen.
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
