12 May 2020

Plan for lockdown lifting published

Following Sunday evening's Prime Ministerial address to the nation, the Government yesterday published a 50-page document about easing lockdown and accompanying FAQs.

‘Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government's COVID-19 recovery strategy' sets out changes regarding public meetings, schools, workplaces and leisure. These will apply from Wednesday 13 May.

The Prime Minister's address, and yesterday's document, have been criticised by parts of the media and the Opposition. Criticisms include calls for a continued stricter lockdown - the approach being taken by Wales and Scotland - and for a clearer plan for returning to normal. New Labour leader Keir Starmer told Parliament there were "lots of questions, but so far, precious few answers."

We've summarised the material below, with a focus on workplaces. Transport guidance is due to be published tomorrow, Tuesday 12 May, so expect a further update from us then.

What are the changes?

Workplaces

• For the foreseeable future, workers should continue to work from home wherever possible.
• Those who can't work from home will be encouraged to return to work, including and construction and manufacturing. While these sectors have been mandated to remain open in any case, many have closed and furloughed staff. The change here really is an encouragement from Government to open. Sectors of the economy that are allowed to be open should be open, for example this includes food production, construction, manufacturing, logistics, distribution and scientific research in laboratories.
• It's thought that there may be spot inspections introduced to ensure that businesses are taking care of employees and following guidelines.
• As soon as practicable, workplaces should follow the new ‘COVID-19 Secure' guidelines, which will be published this week.

Out and about

• The Government has now advised people to wear face coverings for the first time when in enclosed spaces, such as on public transport or in some shops. It's published some guidance on how to make one on its website.
• People can now take unlimited exercise (rather than once per day), as long as it's alone or with members of their own household.
• Spending time outdoors, other than for exercise, is now permissible, as long as people aren't meeting with more than one person from outside their household and social distancing is observed.
• People can now drive as far as they want to take exercise, but cannot cross borders into other nations (where rules are different).

Leisure

• Professional sports could be back on, but without spectators, and no earlier than 1 June.
• 4 July will be the earliest possible opening time for hairdressers, pubs and restaurants - but this is not set in stone.

Schools

• Primary schools will open used a phased timetable from the start of June. It's intended that all primary children will get back to school for at least a month before the summer holidays begin.

Enforcement

• Lockdown breach fines will rise from a minimum of £60 to £100.