Lockdown: What will government announce after latest three-week review today?

The curbs on people’s freedoms imposed in late March must, by law, be reviewed every three weeks – which makes 28 May the latest decision day for Boris Johnson.

The ‘roadmap’ earlier this month set out significant changes from 1 June, but only if the latest scientific data and advice from the SAGE committee agreed they would not trigger a dangerous flare-up of Covid-19 infections.

Ahead of SAGE’s crucial meeting today, what is likely to be announced?

* The alert level:

The prime minister is expected to formally reduce the threat level from 4 – the second-highest level, in which the transmission is said to be “high”.

If it is cut to 3 – where the virus is still in “general circulation”, but less prevalent – that will be the key to a further relaxing of social distancing restrictions.

* Mixing with friends and families:

SAGE has explored so-called ‘social bubbles’ – allowing people to mix with “one other household in the same exclusive group” – but this idea has been falling out of favour, not least because the police said it could not be enforced.

Instead, it seems more likely the government will allow socialising with, perhaps, up to six people, without them being the same people each time. This would only be allowed outdoors – and the two-metre separation rule would remain.

* Sporting events:

The roadmap said cultural and sporting events should be permitted “to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact”.

As the Premier League and both domestic and international cricket, in particular, battle to restart as soon as possible, this seems certain to get the go-ahead.

* Schools:

Mr Johnson jumped the gun to distract from the Dominic Cummings scandal – sorry, to help teachers and parents plan ahead – by appearing to confirm reception, year 1 and year 6 classes will return on Monday.

This is subject to SAGE approval, but seems certain to happen, although many local councils and schools have rebelled – and parents will be free to keep their children at home without being fined.

* Non-essential retail:

Outdoor markets and car showrooms are poised to reopen from 1 June, to be followed by High Street clothes and bookshops two weeks later.

But there will be strict restrictions on numbers and fitting rooms must remain closed, raising questions about how many shoppers will come back?

* Pubs and restaurants:

They were not intended to reopen their outdoor spaces until July at the earliest, but the prime minister has now hinted at better news for eaters and drinkers.

“I’m much more optimistic than I was,” he told the Commons liaison committee, adding: “We may be able to do things faster than I thought.”

He also hinted at relaxing the two-metre rule in future – but neither change is expected to kick-in next week.

* Definitely remaining shuttered for now:

That list includes canteens, hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, hotels, campsites and other holiday accommodation, museums, galleries, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and places of worship.

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk