No end to UK lockdown but some measures will be eased, says PM Johnson

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacts outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our Carers campaign in support of the NHS, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), London, Britain, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - There will be no immediate end to the coronavirus lockdown in Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday, setting out plans to begin gradually easing some of the measures which have shut down much of the economy for nearly seven weeks.

 

"This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week," Johnson said in a televised address. "Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures."

 

From Monday, those who cannot work from home will be actively encouraged to go to work, he said, and from Wednesday people will be allowed to take unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines.

 

"You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household," he said.

 

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and Estelle Shirbon, Editing by Elizabeth Piper)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-11

 

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Clear as mud. As usual.

24 minutes ago, mrfill said:

Clear as mud. As usual.

I watched the broadcast and it wasn’t even that clear.

Edited May 10, 20206 yr by Bluespunk

He is a good man Boris. The right man at the right time for Britain.  

3 hours ago, webfact said:

You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household," he said.

What about handshake with coronavirus patients in hospitals?

 

 

 

 

38 minutes ago, balo said:

He is a good man Boris. The right man at the right time for Britain.  

Bahahahahahahahaha!!!????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

This constant Boris bashing has never been about corona virus, everybody knows the real reason.

Boris is doing his job, no matter which way he goes or whatever he says it will always be the wrong way. 

Clear enough for me. But then again I still held on to my common sense over the last few decades of the nanny state.

Good on yer Boris, with your 2bn package for transport and getting to work programme. Free Push Bikes for every. Or did I get it wrong again.

Just watch your speed if your in Manchester or your liable to get tazed by the cops.

 

When a nearly full plane load from Asia lands at Heathrow & all the passengers are just let loose

in the country with no checks, no quarantine, (self or enforced) it is obvious that the British Government could not give a hoot. Boriis, your Government have failed your people

6 hours ago, vogie said:

This constant Boris bashing has never been about corona virus, everybody knows the real reason.

Boris is doing his job, no matter which way he goes or whatever he says it will always be the wrong way. 

So, even though the clear and unassailable facts show that he definitely chose the wrong path - and continues to lead England down that path - you are suggesting that we shouldn't criticise him because it's mean spirited?

 

I would actually contend that the reason people are bashing Johnson is because he initiated the series of responses that has seen the UK with the highest death toll in Europe and still no end in sight. Not all of us respond from a place of petty vindictiveness. 

Edited May 11, 20206 yr by RuamRudy

6 hours ago, Yinn said:

 

What about handshake with coronavirus patients in hospitals?

When these would be the only ones... as he probably is immune, at least for the corona-virus- he cannot do much harm anymore.

One thing for sure: he learnt corona is NOT a JOKE. Pitty, the British people pay the price from his former ignorance.

2 minutes ago, puipuitom said:

When these would be the only ones... as he probably is immune, at least for the corona-virus- he cannot do much harm anymore.

One thing for sure: he learnt corona is NOT a JOKE. Pitty, the British people pay the price from his former ignorance.

There is nothing former about his ignorance, as anyone who has witnessed his cabinet of incompetence over the past 24 hours will testify 

6 hours ago, vogie said:

This constant Boris bashing has never been about corona virus, everybody knows the real reason.

Boris is doing his job, no matter which way he goes or whatever he says it will always be the wrong way. 

Any Prime Minister will be held to account for their actions.  Just look at the vitriol towards Theresa May, Cameron, Blair and of course Thatcher.

 

I defended Boris when the crisis first arrived and his response then appeared to quick and decisive.  I was impressed that he turned up for the daily briefings rather than doing his usual thing of hiding in a toilet somewhere.  Kudos for doing that Boris.

 

However now more facts are becoming available we can see that many areas were miss-handled and the response was actually slow and lacking in correct prioritising.  For this the government should be held to account.   Then we come to Boris's announcement on Sunday evening which amounted to nothing more than hot air and vague "maybes".  Every step forward he suggested was countered with a "but", that if it looked like it wasn't going to work it would be back to a full lockdown.  He didn't commit to anything positively.

 

As to the comments about "if you cannot work from home then you should go to work"  pitched on a Sunday night to be actioned from the next morning.  After the laughter died away Raab came out on Monday morning to say the PM meant that it should start from Wednesday and of course that would be the first stage.  Funny this was only said after the reaction from everyone.  This is clearly a government who don't know how to take us forward.  To change the slogan form "Stay ay Home" to "Stay Alert" just illustrates how pathetic their approach has become.  Needless to say Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are sticking to the original.

 

After saying all of that,  the UK is not alone in handling this crisis badly.  Many countries in the west underestimated the seriousness of this pandemic and in the early stages made plenty of mistakes.  The balancing act of keeping people safe and the death toll manageable whilst not allowing the economy to completely collapse is a very difficult call, especially when it is unknown territory.

 

 

2 hours ago, natway09 said:

When a nearly full plane load from Asia lands at Heathrow & all the passengers are just let loose

in the country with no checks, no quarantine, (self or enforced) it is obvious that the British Government could not give a hoot. Boriis, your Government have failed your people

Interesting that there was little mention on Sunday of Johnson's ridiculous idea of introducing his 14 day self isolating plan for those arriving from overseas that was to start from the end of May!  Another example of how this government is failing to get to grips with the reality of this pandemic.

36 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

There is nothing former about his ignorance, as anyone who has witnessed his cabinet of incompetence over the past 24 hours will testify 

 

No vindictiveness there then! Just being objective eh?

 

Were you similarly scathing about the poor judgement shown by Scotland's chief health officer when defying the essential only travel ban? Or the first minister brushing it under the carpet?

 

To be fair, and rather sadly, Boris, Corbyn, Sturgeon, and that rather unpleasant lady in Norther Ireland, are indicative of the caliber of politicians in the UK. Even at local government level the standard seems to have lowered dramatically. Not only scandals, but an appalling lack of skill and ability.

 

Open borders, no checks on arrivals, and now a self imposed (we'll make spot checks 555!), speaks volumes about the terrible statistics of cases and deaths in the UK.

 

Edited May 11, 20206 yr by Baerboxer

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

No vindictiveness there then! Just being objective eh?

 

Were you similarly scathing about the poor judgement shown by Scotland's chief health officer when defying the essential only travel ban? Or the first minister brushing it under the carpet?

 

To be fair, and rather sadly, Boris, Corbyn, Sturgeon, and that rather unpleasant lady in Norther Ireland, are indicative of the caliber of politicians in the UK. Even at local government level the standard seems to have lowered dramatically. Not only scandals, but an appalling lack of skill and ability.

Your obsession is really showing of late. Give it a rest - the horse has long bolted and no amount of snide remarks will entice it back.

 

I cannot comment on Arlene Foster's performance as she has been mostly absent from the news I have been watching, although I saw a chart which shows, I think, NI having the lowest death rate in the UK.

 

As for Wales, the FM appears to be broadly supported by his countrymen - I have read of little dissent from voters and the press seems to recognise the consistency in his approach, and laud him for it. 

 

74% of Scots, including 70% of Tory and Labour voters, think Sturgeon is doing a good job.

 

And Johnson - even his staunchest allies are struggling to print anything positive about his handling overall, and especially about the utterly disastrous handling of his 'message' over the weekend. He is making Trump look professional in comparison.

 

That said, the inevitable public inquiries that will be held into the handling of the response must be thorough, transparent and non-partisan. Where criticism is due, it should be meted out without favour. 

The virus is here in the Uk weaving it's way through the population, slowly, control attributed to social distancing, keeping your distance and hand washing is deemed the best way to postpone infection, but the chances are most everyone will get it. The measures taken have hopefully made provision for a hospital bed if one gets really ill.

So guys what did you expect, eradication of the virus as it hit the UK?

The message from Boris is clear, be aware, keep your distance make provision to keep the spread in check, and let us start to get the economy moving, but be aware we do not create a 'second wave' a 'second ripple' will do just fine!!

 

 

8 hours ago, balo said:

He is a good man Boris. The right man at the right time for Britain.  

Yeah; exactly like Chamberlain was the right man for Britain in 1940!

7 hours ago, vogie said:

This constant Boris bashing has never been about corona virus, everybody knows the real reason.

Boris is doing his job, no matter which way he goes or whatever he says it will always be the wrong way. 

The real reason is that he is a one trick pony and hasn't a clue here. Neither does his puppet master.

 

Changing a slogan from 'Stay Safe' to 'Stay Alert' aint going to achieve anything! Stay alert? Alert for what?

 

Still no word on when restrictions and checks will be imposed on those entering the country, not even any confirmation that any ever will be!

 

Little wonder that the devolved legislatures of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland want nothing to do with this latest load of pony from Downing Street.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the same people who disliked PM Johnsons speech are the same people who objected to Brexit, it's as if they have been given another stick to beat Boris over the head with.

The problem is that we have two opposing factions in the country, one for lockdown and if Boris lifts it he is unresponsable and the other lot who are opposed to the lockdown, and if Boris continues the lockdown, he is a dictator. How can the man possibly win.

Edited May 11, 20206 yr by vogie

I really cannot understand the lack of intelligence shown on these threads, corona virus carries the ability to spread rapidly in heavily populated areas, perhaps more so where high rise multi floored buildings group people together.

 

Regarding population, the top 20 cities in the UK, 2 are from Scotland, 1 from Wales, and 1 from Northern Ireland the other 16 are cities in England

 

The population of the 4 cities in the Top 20 outside England do not even total 25% of London population.

So lets stop with the regional comparison garbage

 

 

Edited May 11, 20206 yr by 473geo

English people are so utterly thick and feeble these days. 'Stay alert' is surely not that difficult to understand, but evidently too difficult for many people who seem never to have grown up.

1 hour ago, 7by7 said:

Yeah; exactly like Chamberlain was the right man for Britain in 1940!

Pathetic comment.

8 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

English people are so utterly thick and feeble these days. 'Stay alert' is surely not that difficult to understand, but evidently too difficult for many people who seem never to have grown up.

I would argue it is impossible to understand. Unlike Stay Home, Stay Alert is totally subjective. In lieu of clear and unambiguous instructions, it creates all sorts of confusion and contradictions.

 

1 hour ago, vogie said:

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the same people who disliked PM Johnsons speech are the same people who objected to Brexit, it's as if they have been given another stick to beat Boris over the head with.

The problem is that we have two opposing factions in the country, one for lockdown and if Boris lifts it he is unresponsable and the other lot who are opposed to the lockdown, and if Boris continues the lockdown, he is a dictator. How can the man possibly win.

Cheap shot Vogie.  This is nothing to do with Brexit or what people voted for with that.  Boris is not the only one screwing up the response to the pandemic but he is PM and therefore ultimately responsible for the poor way it is now being handled.

1 hour ago, vogie said:

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the same people who disliked PM Johnsons speech are the same people who objected to Brexit, it's as if they have been given another stick to beat Boris over the head with.

Turn that on its head and it holds true also.

 

1 hour ago, vogie said:

The problem is that we have two opposing factions in the country, one for lockdown and if Boris lifts it he is unresponsable and the other lot who are opposed to the lockdown, and if Boris continues the lockdown, he is a dictator. How can the man possibly win.

The decision should be science driven only. The much touted road map must contain decision gates; the 5 key tests he spoke of last night need to be broken down further, with clear and unambiguous expectations prior to proceeding to the next stage defined now. 

Edited May 11, 20206 yr by RuamRudy

9 hours ago, vogie said:

This constant Boris bashing has never been about corona virus, everybody knows the real reason.

Boris is doing his job, no matter which way he goes or whatever he says it will always be the wrong way. 

that sounds familiar, thought you were referring to Trump 555

34 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

English people are so utterly thick and feeble these days. 'Stay alert' is surely not that difficult to understand, but evidently too difficult for many people who seem never to have grown up.

Too many confused trying to look for a negative, as we move through this situation the latest update from Boris was optimistic, a little relaxation of the rules, with caution, and see how we progress to the next stage, nothing negative in there at all.