BORIS Johnson has tonight announced that people in England can meet in groups of six in parks or private gardens from Monday, as he lifted some lockdown rules.
The PM revealed that the five tests for easing the nation had finally been met, meaning he can ease some of the country’s strict restrictions.
After months of lockdown, groups from different households will be able to meet up – as long as it is outside.
It means the nation can finally get the beers out and fire up the barbecue in the garden.
At the moment only two people can meet up outside, but as HOAR revealed this week, multiple households will now be able to have BBQs and garden parties to make the most of the beautiful weather.
The PM said he can throw off the harshest shackles of the lockdown because Brits have done so well at battling the virus.
People will be able to nip into the loo at a pal’s house, but won’t be able to stay inside or stay overnight.
And if they do decide to have a BBQ, everyone must make sure they clean everything down and not share anything which could transmit germs.
Boris Johnson also revealed this evening:
- People will be able to play golf in groups of four, and tennis doubles from Monday
- Schools will open next week as planned – but for a small number of pupils only
- Non-essential shops are set to return from June 1 and June 15 as the PM revealed last week
“It is thanks to the caution we have shown so far that all five tests are being met,” Boris said.
“That is not my achievement or the government’s achievement – it is your achievement, only possible thanks to your resolve and dedication to our national purpose to overcome this virus.
“So the result is we can move forward with adjusting the lockdown in England on Monday.”
And he hailed the launch of the new test and trace system as the reason the country could finally start trying to get back to a new normal.
Speaking at the Downing Street briefing today, he said: “From Monday we will allow up to six people to meet outside provided those from different households continue strictly to observe social distancing rules – staying two meres apart.
“There is no difference in the health risks, so we will now allow to meet in gardens and other private outdoor spaces.
“These changes mean that friends and family can start to meet their loved ones – perhaps seeing both parents at once or both grandparents at once.
“For many people I know this will be a long awaited and joyful moment.”
But he urged people to “avoid seeing people from too many households in quick succession” to make sure the virus does not continue to spread.
The PM warned that there would have to be local lockdowns in the coming weeks, too, and that these measures may be short-lived.
If the R rate of transmission goes above one then the nation, or certain areas, could go back into having to stay indoors again.
He told the nation: “I have to warn you, there will be further local outbreaks. So we will monitor carefully, we will put on the brakes as required, and where necessary, we will re-impose measures. It’s important to be clear about that up front.”
And he said that those who are extremely clinically vulnerable and have been ordered to stay inside, will have to do so for even longer.
However, he said that the Government were looking at how to “plot a path” out of the strict lockdown in the coming weeks.
The current R rate is somewhere between 0.7 and 0.9, Patrick Vallance said tonight.
The numbers of people infected are “coming down” but “not fast”, he said.
The PM wants to slowly get Britain back to normal over the next two months –Â but as long as everyone can still remain a safe distance apart.
The news comes as England’s test and trace system comes into force today, which Boris has said means the country can lift lockdown measures for most people.
However, the changes will only come into play in England – as Scotland is following different rules.
It means anyone who gets symptoms will be told to take a test and self-isolate at home.
They will then be asked to hand over details of everyone they have been in close contact with in the last 48 hours.
Those people will then be ordered to stay home for 14 days to make sure they don’t pass on the virus.
Close contact is defined as within two metres for at least 15 minutes.
But already the scheme is off to a shambolic start – with tracers saying they were only told the system was going live last night.
Tracers have said it is “the blind leading the blind” and they don’t have anyone who tested positive for coronavirus to call so they can get to work.
A huge number said they had not been sent login details which allowed them to access systems to start work and were instead sat at home with nothing to do.
