British Prime Minister Boris Johnson emphasized that Britain is not ending the lockdown but only modifying tough measures that had been imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  

In a televised address Sunday from his official London residence, Johnson announced three tentative steps toward reopening of the country.

In Step 1, which starts Monday, people who cannot work from home, like construction workers or manufacturers, should be actively encouraged to go to work, but in a safe manner. That means, he said, that people should avoid public transportation and go to work by car, by bicycle or on foot.

Johnson said the government has issued guidance to employers on how to make workplaces secure, including for public transport workers. Those measures will limit the capacity of the public transport.

As of Wednesday, Johnson said people will be encouraged to go out and sit in the sun or exercise. They can drive out of town and even play group sports, but only with members of their own family.

“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,” he said.

Johnson is the only world leader to have been hospitalized and treated for COVID, including having to spend a few days in intensive care. 

Source : VOA