Lockdown measures are expected to remain largely in place but Johnson suggested some could begin to be eased next week.
He told Prime Minister’s Questions: “We want, if we possibly can, to get going with some of these measures on Monday (11 May).
“It would be a good thing if the people had an idea of what’s coming the following day, that’s why I think Sunday, the weekend, is the best time to do it.”
National newspapers have reported cafés could reopen if they have outside facilities following health secretary Matt Hancock’s suggestion that these businesses could reopen during summer.
Other publications have claimed pubs with gardens could reopen but this has not been confirmed by the Government.
Data backing
However, he added the Government had to be sure any changes to restrictions were backed by data, which he said was coming continuously over the next few days.
Johnson first called for the public to avoid pubs on Tuesday 17 March, before ordering them to close a few days later (Friday 20 March).
On Monday 23 March, the Prime Minister announced the whole country would be put into lockdown and people could only go out if they were shopping for basic essentials, one form of exercise a day alone or with members of the same household, a medical need or provide care to a vulnerable person, or to travel to work but only necessary if unable to work from home.
This was extended by a further three weeks in a press briefing from secretary of state Dominic Raab on Thursday 16 April, with the three weeks ending today (Thursday 7 May).
Specific needs
At that time, Raab said: “Early relaxation could do more damage to the economy over a longer period.
“Relaxing any of the measures currently in place risk damage to both public health and our economy.”
He added there were five specific needs that must be met before the Government relaxes the measures. These are:
- A need to protect the NHS’s ability to cope and be confident we’re able to provide care across the UK
- A sustained and consistent fall in daily death rates to ensure confidence the infection rate has slowed
- Reliable data to show the rate of infection is decreasing
- Confidence in the operational challenges around supplying PPE, etc. are in hand and that supply of these meets demand
- Confidence that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infection, which would overwhelm the NHS
Raab said a second peak would be the worst outcome for the country and the economy.
