PM’s speech:
Little changed. The core decision, is that lockdown remains, PM is prioritising public health over quick reopening of economy.
But he’s also trying to get business/ workers to use discretion in existing non-watertight lockdown, to maximise econ reopening... /1
Little changed. The core decision, is that lockdown remains, PM is prioritising public health over quick reopening of economy.
But he’s also trying to get business/ workers to use discretion in existing non-watertight lockdown, to maximise econ reopening... /1
Ie... he again warned of the “madness” of risking a second peak of the virus, and said this “sketch of a plan” was being driven by science and health, not by “economic necessity”...
In saying that workers should by default, go back to work, rather than “stay at home” that is a “change of emphasis” as he puts it - but possibly more relevant for scaling down of furlough scheme...
The major trailed announcement of a quarantine of arriving travellers - did not happen, only “notice served” - and it is interesting that PM spoke to MAcron on this today. When France threatened the unlocked down UK with a quarantine in March there were tough conversations too...
Surprised absolutely nothing on face coverings or masks for public - many business leaders who talk to us, said that this is the sort of confidence building measure they would expect. Clearly they cant be same as required in NHS/ social care, but other countries found ways thru..
Other practicalities not yet solved - how to get to work with limited public transport, obviously.
How do parents go back to work without schools looking after children etc...
How do parents go back to work without schools looking after children etc...
other significant issue is fact that any loosening of lockdown will be subject to “brakes applied” if R0 and/or cases spike, perhaps on local basis. Path ahead will be a delicate, difficult and constant balancing act between health and the economy, right now economy 2nd priority.
For those asking - “Notice served” not quarantine announcement, but did get joint statement with MAcron: “No quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage; any measures on either side taken in concerted & reciprocal manner”
gov.uk/government/new…
gov.uk/government/new…
Again, I am intrigued as to how the primary school WhatsApp groups are taking the idea of 5 and 6 year olds going back in a few weeks’ time...
Reading too much into the PM’s graphic... Step three “at the earliest by July” reopening “at least some of the hospitality industry provided safe and enforcing social distancing” - appears to be a reference to restaurants, coffee shops and cinemas...
Really that is a key takeaway - restaurants, cinemas, coffee shops not reopening in England for several weeks until July at least according to that chart, whereas some have reopened elsewhere in Europe, eg for outdoor tables in Spain
Presume this won’t apply to the Premier League... or maybe it’s Gary vs Phil Neville 
