By Tony O’Riley –
Members of the British public can meet another person from outside their household as long as they are outside and stay 2m apart, Dominic Raab has confirmed.
The adjustments to Johnson’s initial televised briefing in which he stated that members of the public can only meet people from their own household came after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said people should “use some common sense” and cannot visit others at their home.
Details of the news is embodied in a 50-page guidance document to be published by the government later today, the BBC said
It follows a briefing on Sunday from UK prime minister Boris Johnson, in which he announced a “conditional plan” to begin lifting England’s coronavirus lockdown.
Scotland and Wales – which have their own powers over lockdown and have not changed the advice to stay at home – rejected No 10’s new “stay alert” slogan, while Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer criticised the PM’s plan for lacking clarity.
In his address on Sunday, the PM said people who could not work from home – including those in the manufacturing and construction industries – should be “actively encouraged to go back to work” but avoid public transport. Mr Raab confirmed that this will apply from Wednesday.
The new lockdown easing also permits people to take unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise, sit or sunbathe in parks, drive to other destinations to exercise and play sports with household members from Wednesday.When outdoors, people are much less likely to come into contact with an infected surface, while any tiny particles of virus (called aerosols) would be dispersed by fresh air.
On Sunday, Mr Johnson announced a new Covid alert system with five levels that would influence how quickly the lockdown – which was first announced on 23 March – could be changed. Level five is the most critical, and the UK is currently ready to move from level four to three
Critics feel it is too early to permit members of the public to mix with others, amid fears .