By Ben Kerrigan –
The success of the lockdown easing, the way it benefits businesses, ”and the livelihoods of those who rely on them and ultimately the economic health of the whole country is dependent on every single one of us acting responsibly.”
Those were the words of Uk prime minister Boris Johnson, as he declared the easing of lockdown restrictions in England on Saturday, the “biggest step yet on the road to recovery”.
The prime minster urged the public not let businesses down when pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas reopen their doors this weekend
He warned that he would “not hesitate” to reimpose restrictions if necessary. He added that Government strategy will move from “blanket national measures” to “targeted local measures”.
England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty, who spoke alongside Boris Johnson at a Downing Street briefing, said no-one watching would think the easing was a risk-free step but that “there is no perfect, exact way of doing it”.
Johnson warned pubs to wait until 06:00 BST to reopen as a “precaution” to avoid the inevitability of midnight parties.”
“We must not let them down,” he said, adding that he wanted people to “enjoy summer safely”.
Pub-goers are encouraged to book tables in advance, while live gigs and standing at the bar will not be allowed, he said.
Mr Johnson said “good progress” was being made towards the reopening of other businesses – such as gyms, nail salons and night clubs – and that a timetable will be set out next week.
The prime minister said activities would be restricted “at particular locations” if the virus were to spread, with “individual premises” made to close and people who have spent time in the area tested.
Local lockdowns would be “carefully calibrated depending on the scientific circumstances of each outbreak”, he added.
The reopening of pubs on Saturday will no doubt represent a key step in the easing of the lockdown, and the public will be aware that so much depends on them sticking to the rules. Whether they remember the rules after a few pints down their throats remain to be seen.