British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced an easing of the lockdown measures that have been issued for all Britons.
In a pre-recorded announcement that was released Sunday, Johnson talked about a gradual return to normalcy in the United Kingdom.
One of the most significant point was asking people to go to work if they cannot do so remotely. Johnson emphasized that such measures should only be taken by those who absolutely must, like those working at construction sites.
However, the use of public transportations was discouraged, which caused some confusion. The PM said that anyone who can get to work without using the tube or buses should do so.
The shift in tone was quite clear as the PM “actively encouraged” anyone who couldn’t work remotely show up to work. Many believe that this is to resolve the financial and economic recession that the UK faces due to lockdown measures. The Daily Mail said that this recession was the worst one in the last 300 years.
Starting on Wednesday, various regulations that had restricted outdoor activities will be allowed to resume. Britons will be allowed to sunbathe and exercise without limitations on locations or time. As long as it is within family members, sports like golf and tennis have also been greenlit.
PM Johnson also stated schools may reopen as soon as June. Should the conditions continue to improve, the PM said students could be back in school, starting with the Year 1 and Year 6 students.
Most symbolically, PM Johnson announced that the UK’s official slogan has changed from “Stay at home” to “Stay alert”. Earlier, Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon had denounced the slogan. Sturgeon said that she didn’t understand what the new slogan meant, and said that the new slogan will only be used within England.
Throughout the address, Mr. Johnson did not forget to thank the efforts of the NHS. He mentioned that their dedication has saved so many lives around the nation, and said that it must be protected.
The reception to the speech has been mixed. While some organizations praised the new slogan, others – including the Labour Party – said that the overall plan was not clear enough. You can watch the entire address here.
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Replaced!