There is a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre.
Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK.
Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed.
Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four, and we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three.
Step One
Work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.
Avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited. If possible, travel to work by car or even better by walking or bicycle.
From this Wednesday (13 May), we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise. You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.
You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.
Step Two
(at the earliest by June 1 – after half term)
Possibly begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays. We will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in schools and shops and on transport.
Step Three
(at the earliest by July and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice)
Possibly re-open some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing.
If we can’t do it by those dates, and if the alert level won’t allow it, we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right.
Stay alert
We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
- Wash your hands regularly
Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
