Coronavirus: Britain’s Boris Johnson lays out road map for easing lockdown

Prime minister encourages people who cannot work from home to return to work, while maintaining social distancing and avoiding public transport

Rules on sunbathing and outdoor exercise to be relaxed, but fines for violations will be increased

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the filming of an address to the nation at 10 Downing Street. Photo: Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street via dpa

Published: 3:45am, 11 May 2020Updated: 3:45am, 11 May 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday the “first careful steps” to lift Britain’s lockdown and restart the economy, setting out a “conditional plan” for getting more people back to work while controlling the spread of Covid-19.

Stressing there will be no immediate end to the lockdown, the British prime minister announced looser restrictions on movement from Wednesday, starting with unlimited outdoor leisure time for sports such as golf and tennis, and allowing people to drive to parks and beaches in England.

Johnson told people who cannot work at home – such as those in the manufacturing and construction sectors – to go to work. “Work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t.”

But the premier also revealed plans to tighten the rules in key areas. Anyone flouting social distancing rules will face fines starting at £100 pounds (US$124), an increase from £60. Fines will rise to a maximum of £3,200 for repeat offenders.

The government's new catchphrase is displayed on screen as a family gather around the television in London to watch Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson give a televised message to the nation on Sunday. Photo: AFP

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