Sunday, 24 Nov 2024

Lockdown could be relaxed in TEN DAYS as Boris Johnson plans reopening shops on June 1

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The prime minister has said that so far 25000 trackers have been recruited to identify the contacts of infected victims and prevent outbreaks. This could mean that some schools and shops potentially open on June 1, as Government scientific advisors urge that the system must be running before restrictions are fully lifted.

Yesterday saw thousands of housebound Britons flock to local beaches and parks on the hottest day of the year so far.

And it seems as though there now could be a decision to relax rules limiting social contact.

As many who have been inside for weeks have grown restless amid the high temperatures.

Devon and Cornwall police said that despite pleas for families to stay away from roads, some resorts were entirely gridlocked.

A Whitehall source revealed: “’Any decision on the lockdown is conditional on advice that we can move forward without risking a second spike.

“We are not there yet.

“Hopefully the test-and-trace system will give people confidence in the measures we are taking.” They added.

Only 637 hospital admissions were recorded on Tuesday and no new cases at all in London on Monday.

At the peak of the pandemic, 1,000 cases were being reported, and this number could prove to far greater later down the line.

Testing of coronavirus cases has so far reached a record 177,216.

Mr Johnson informed the Commons that the tracing scheme was nearly ready.

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However, there have been some issues with the government app that could be problematic.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir asked why there had been “no effective” attempt to trace the contacts of those infected with Covid-19 since 12 March “when tracing was abandoned”.

Mr Johnson replied: “We have growing confidence that we will have a test, track and trace operation that will be world-beating and yes, it will be in place by June 1.”

Government advisers have warned that it is essential for a testing and tracing system to be ready ahead of the loosening of lockdown restrictions.

 

Earlier the Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland, cast doubt on the timetable for introducing the tracing app.

 A week ago, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, said it would be “rolling out in mid-May”.

He said: “I think the signs are good but there’s more work to be done clearly.”

Asked if the app, currently being trialled in the Isle of Wight, would be ready by the start of June, he replied: “I think it won’t necessarily be as widespread and as full-blown as we would like.

“ I think that would develop over the next several weeks, over the next month or so.

“ It’s a combination of that app and of the track-and-trace volunteers who are being trained as we speak.”

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