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Britain will begin easing some coronavirus lockdown measures this week, but most will stay in place until at least June 1, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday, as he unveiled cautious plans to lift restrictions imposed seven weeks ago.
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"This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week," he said in a televised address but added that some primary school children could return and shops re-open from June 1.
Johnson said some public places could re-open from July 1 but warned air passengers travelling to Britain faced quarantine measures.
French President Emmanuel Macron's office said on Sunday that the travellers coming from France will not be subjected to quarantine at this stage, adding that any such measure would be reciprocal and only be imposed after mutual consultation.
Britain has seen nearly 32,000 deaths in the outbreak — the second-worst cumulative death toll behind the United States, and the worst in Europe.
But despite passing the peak of the outbreak, Johnson said it would be "madness" to waste the sacrifices the public had made since the lockdown.
Further details of what he stressed was a "conditional plan" would be outlined in parliament on Monday, he said.
It centres around a five-phase Covid Alert Level similar to the system in place for security threats, with one the lowest and five the highest.
Johnson said Britain had been at level four throughout the outbreak and "careful steps" were needed to move to level three, even as transmission rates varied around the country.
As a first step, the new guidelines again urge people who can to work from home but those who cannot to maintain social distancing and avoid public transport.
Johnson said there would be some easing of restrictions from Wednesday, allowing "unlimited exercise",Read More – Source
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