Good morning.
Britons will be allowed to go outside as often as they like for exercise from Monday as the government takes its first steps towards lifting the coronavirus lockdown. According to reports in the papers, some outdoor businesses such as garden centres could reopen and outdoor workplaces, such as construction sites, could restart. Some rules will be tightened – face masks may be required on public transport, and the Financial Times reports that border controls could become stricter, with a 14-day quarantine for new arrivals extending to British citizens. The government’s “Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” slogan will be dropped for one slightly less cautious: “Stay safe, save lives”. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a cabinet meeting today to discuss the plans, and will announce them on Sunday
The government will lift lockdown in stages between now and the autumn, the reports say. In late May or early June, primary schools will begin to reopen, while people from two households could begin meeting up in social “bubbles”, an idea First Minister Nicola Sturgeon floated for Scotland yesterday. From the end of June, secondary schools will return alongside some outdoor sports and cafés, while pubs and restaurants will open their doors around the end of August. From October, all remaining parts of the economy could restart, depending on how the virus is progressing, while football fans could return to matches.
In other news, coronavirus testing has been suspended in some parts of London because of a shortage of the necessary chemicals. The Independent reports the suspension covers south London hospitals and GP practices serving 3.5 million people, while NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said other hospitals were at risk of running out of the reagents too. The news comes after the government again missed its 100,000 daily test target, with the number of tests carried out dipping below 70,000.
And remember that flight from Turkey carrying 400,000 protective gowns that was delayed, delayed and delayed again? Every single one of the gowns has failed safety checks, the government has confirmed.
Global updates:
NZ: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was considering reducing the country’s coronavirus restrictions to “Level 2” as early as next Wednesday, which would allow people to gather in groups of up to 100. Businesses, restaurants and schools would reopen.
Poland: The coalition government has pushed back Sunday’s presidential election. The ruling Law and Justice party wanted the vote to go ahead, but it was crowded out by coalition partner Agreement and opposition parties. The earliest the vote will take place is next month.
India: The first of 60 repatriation flights will land in India today. In total, as many as 200,000 Indians stranded overseas are set to return home – the biggest repatriation effort in decades.
Brazil: Brazil reported 615 deaths on Wednesday, the highest daily death toll anywhere in the southern hemisphere since the start of the pandemic. The country’s death toll now tops 8,500.
Pakistan: Pakistan recorded 40 deaths in a single day, its highest total yet. The total number of infections has reached 22,000. Railway services are due to resume on Sunday, 10 May.
Bangladesh: Daily infections spiked to a record 790, bringing the country’s total above 11,000.
Read more on the New Statesman:
On Covid-19, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are trapped with few stories left to sell
The Conservatives’ threat to cut the furlough scheme shows the logic of austerity endures
Why can’t we focus during this pandemic?
Why 200,000 tests per day is a meaningless political goal
What the Spanish Flu pandemic teaches us today
To achieve a new settlement, the Conservatives must champion the empowering state
Chefs to guide you through lockdown
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