A gradual relaxing of lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures will now take place as the Government lowers the COVID Alert Level from 4 to 3.
The UK’s chief medical officers recommended the downgrade earlier today and it has now been confirmed that the Government has acted on the recommendation.
Today’s news doesn’t mean any immediate changes, but it almost certainly seals the deal on hospitality sectors and hairdressers re-opening as planned in July and could mean the 2m social distancing rule is reduced.
Level 3 means that the COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation, but the transmission is not high or rising exponentially. Although it does not mean the pandemic is over, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur, it does mean that things are improving across the country.
The UK’s chief medical officers have said:
“There has been a steady decrease in cases we have seen in all four nations, and this continues.
“It does not mean that the pandemic is over.
“The virus is still in general circulation, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur.
Article continues below this advertisement “We have made progress against the virus thanks to the efforts of the public and we need the public to continue to follow the guidelines carefully to ensure this progress continues.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said:
“The UK moving to a lower alert level is a big moment for the country, and a real testament to the British people’s determination to beat this virus.
“The Government’s plan is working. Infection rates are rapidly falling, we have protected the NHS and, thanks to the hard work of millions in our health and social care services, we are getting the country back on her feet.”
It will be interesting to see how quickly it all starts up again once things are relaxed, as is happening in other countries that had got it “under control “.
I definitely would not say infection rates are falling rapidly and am rather suspicious of the government’s testing methods.
Hope all the postal testing kits are being used properly, as normally some one is trained to execute the test.
I also hope that people are self-isolating if exposed to Covid 19 – a very difficult thing for some people to do, if they then lose their jobs. Take a look at Germany’s new outbreak – the poor factory workers were on zero hour contracts – no work – no pay.
I think this may become an even more popular method of employing people in the UK, due to the economic situation in the country.
Talk about being in the middle of a plague – why have Island Roads put white circles down the middle of already narrow pavements down the High Street in Shanklin??
Only my opinion, but I think HMG know rates of CV will soar, but as they now have enough beds for all the dying, they just accept such, as we cannot be all sponging off the state forever.
So many more will die, but in private wards, not in homes, so just numbers, not names, causing less distress for the Tory party’s ratings come the next election than if hospitals could not admit all those needing help or being cared for in their last moments on Earth.
Considering the way this government say they are dealing with everything, being proud and all that, was surprised they didn’t announce that they were going to lower the level to just 1 and send everyone back to work, open schools, shops, pubs and holiday camps and then deny that there was a virus at all.
But that would be nearly telling the truth, and they can’t do that!