Johnson's speech on measures for England to lift lockdown stirs 'confusion'; internet reacts
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Starting May 13, people in England will be able to visit parks, play sports, have access to sporting clubs and a lot more, but only if a two-metre distance is ensured between any two people
British Prime Minister addressed the nation to announce the strategy of easing coronavirus-induced lockdowns across the country. The country had recently crossed Italy’s death toll to become the second-most affected country after the United states.
As part of a transition from “Stay home” to “Stay alert”, the new measures are introduced to facilitate reopening places of social interaction as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to kill people, but has showed signs of slowing down in the country.
During his address, the Prime Minister explained relaxations of lockdown rules, but only applying to England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland had recently rejected his calls for easing the lockdown measures.
If we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out, then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further.
— Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) May 10, 2020
We are driven by the science, the data and public health.
It depends on all of us – the entire country – to #StayAlert to keep the R down. pic.twitter.com/KuiPs7mQL8
While asking people to work from home, he added that workers in industries like construction and manufacturing should be able to return to work starting Monday. At the same time, he asserted the need to avoid public transport.
Starting May 13, people in England will be able to visit parks, play sports, have access to sporting clubs and a lot more, but only if a two-metre distance is ensured between any two people.
Shops that do not necessarily sell essential products will be able to reopen starting June 1, the PM signalled. Schools may also start to reopen around the same time.
Moving on to July, he added that restaurants, cinemas, and places of worship may be able to reopen then.
The announcement was viewed as somewhat confusing.
For starters, the workers received only a 12-hour notice to start returning to work. This, many feared, could trigger chaos.
Twitter reacts
Twitterati were quick to take the government’s case on the lack of clarity in the measures.
If you're heading #BackToWork following Boris Johnson's 'Advice' make sure you follow his example instead. If it's not safe for them, it isn't safe for you. pic.twitter.com/WHmlIylIXS
— AntOnAnE (@AntOnAnEGaming) May 11, 2020
Boris Johnson telling people to go back to work without using public transport pic.twitter.com/2DnbwQUmcz
— Abby Tomlinson (@twcuddleston) May 11, 2020
London roads & Tubes this morning as workers return to work in England following that ‘speech’ by @BorisJohnson #SocialDistancing impossible☠️ 2nd wave of #COVID19 inevitable thanks to sheer incompetence of @10DowningStreet #highestdeathrateinEurope #thanksboris #StayHome pic.twitter.com/iDDxZ3FqHQ
— Aamer Anwar🎗✊🏽 (@AamerAnwar) May 11, 2020
This is an ACTUAL slide from the Prime Minister's announcement. We are so screwed 🤦🏻♂️#COVID19 #StayAlert pic.twitter.com/jFaYicMC8u
— Peter Tennant (@PWGTennant) May 10, 2020
One user made a comic strip to explain the situation.
The inside story of THAT #borisjohnsonspeech ... #StayAlert #stayingalert #BorisHasFailed pic.twitter.com/8jEWCEFZrs
— Richard Milne (@milneorchid) May 11, 2020
'Clarity and consensus'
The three-step plan of the government envisages to slowly reopen places as the number of infections decline in the country.
Kier Starmer, the leader of the Labour party said that “the nation was looking for… clarity and consensus”.
What the nation was looking for from the Prime Minister was clarity and consensus.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 10, 2020
We didn't get either. pic.twitter.com/66xRdzNvp3
“This statement raises more questions than it answers, and we see the prospect of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions”, he further said.
“The prime minister appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work without a clear plan for safety or clear guidance as to how to get there without using public transport”, he added.