There is no clear exit strategy to the COVID-19 lockdown yet, but at some point, some restrictions are going to have to be lifted in the short to medium term to avoid long-lasting damage to our economy. There's been suggestions of schools reopening before the summer holidays and some non-essential retailers opening in the next few weeks, but there is no definite timescale for these so it leaves the door open to personal interpretation really, when do you think these restrictions will be lifted?
From my point of view, this is what I think will happen:
Exit strategy phase 1: (once new cases start to drop below 1,000 per day)
From my point of view, this is what I think will happen:
Exit strategy phase 1: (once new cases start to drop below 1,000 per day)
- Non-essential retailers including hairdressers and clothes shops can reopen if they limit the maximum numbers of customers in store at once to 15 (5 in smaller shops).
- Retailers adjacent to each other may be ordered to open on alternating different days to prevent an influx of customers queuing outside.
- Schools reopen to all pupils, but with different year groups in on different days of the week. Attendance will not be compulsory if students are in a high-risk category or have a key worker job to go to. Cancelled summer exams will not be reinstated.
- Citizens will be additionally be allowed to leave the house to buy non-essential goods, but only once per day and preferably at the same time as essential shopping and exercise.
- Lockdown to end for citizens not at high-risk or living with anyone in that category.
- Food outlets can reopen, but for takeaway and home delivery only.
- Sunbathing and having picnics in parks close to home will be allowed, but police patrols will be increased to ensure people are still observing social distancing rules.
- Some low-key sports matches can resume behind closed doors.
- All citizens who have had the antibody test and proven they are immune will be given an immunity certificate.
- Entertainment venues including pubs, gyms, clubs and cinemas can reopen if they only let in people who have and show proof of an immunity certificate.
- Anyone wishing to travel abroad must have an immunity certificate before doing so. Non-British nationals arriving in the UK must take the antibody test upon arrival or be refused entry.
- Lockdown will still apply to elderly and vulnerable citizens without an immunity certificate.
- Nobody will be allowed to leave the UK unless they have an immunity certificate or vaccine.
- Elderly and vulnerable will no longer need to shield.
- End to limits on how many people can be in a shop/venue at once.
- Work from home guidance relaxed.
- All social distancing guidance lifted
- Travel restrictions lifted.
- Nightingale hospitals to be reverted back to conference/entertainment venues.
- Massive 21st century Festival of Britain to take place.