Sir Keir Starmer has urged Boris Johnson to form a “national consensus” on the next stage in the battle against coronavirus as ministers formulate plans to ease the lockdown.
The new Labour leader has pledged to work “constructively” with the government.
He said he would support an extension of the lockdown, expected to be announced later this week.
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But he suggested his continued support depended upon an agreed way forward once restrictions are lifted, including on equipment for NHS staff and care workers.
“We want to support the government to get this right and that is why we need a national consensus on what happens next,” he said.
“Our priority is protecting the public’s health and saving lives. That is why we supported the lockdown and again support the restrictions staying in place at this time.
“However, we need to be honest with the public about the challenges ahead. We are in this for the long haul. It is imperative that the government is properly planning for what happens next and properly supporting our NHS and social care services.”
The Labour leader also announced seven principles he said ministers had to consider when planning for the next phase of the fight against the global pandemic.
These include a plan to guarantee protective equipment (PPE) for key workers.
The Independent revealed last month that NHS Trusts had been warned supplies of PPE would not reach sustainable levels until June.
Ministers must legally review the current measures on Thursday, but that is expected to be a formality.
Mr Johnson is expected to outline a “roadmap” setting out the next steps on the lockdown on Sunday.
Tory MPs lined up to warn their own government individual freedoms could not be ignored in its review of the lockdown.
During a debate on the regulations in the Commons, Marcus Fysh, the Conservative MP for Yeovil, raised concerns about plans for an NHS contact tracing app.
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The “precedent that health trumps liberty must not be the conclusion,” he told MPs.
Tory MP Sir Graham Brady urged ministers not to exclude the over-70s from any easing of restrictions.
The Altrincham and Sale West MP said: “Why don’t we just give them the best information and advice and let them limit their risk themselves?”
