Yesterday we covered the vital work related information as announced by the government which can be found here. Today we are detailing the timeline which tells you what you can currently do, what you can expect to happen and when it is going to take place.
The government have announced a guided timeline detailing what is happening and when. This timeline could be subject to change depending on how the infection rate changes. Along with this information it was confirmed that people in England will be allowed to meet one other person outside of their household as long as they meet outside of the home and keep 2m apart.
The timeline
From Monday 11th May
- Social distancing measures will continue
- Work from home where possible
- Avoid public transport where possible
From Wednesday 13th May
- Some industries, such as construction and engineering are encourages to return to work if safety measures are implemented
- You are allowed to take unlimited amounts of exercise outside
- You can drive to do exercise
- Playing sports with members of your household is allowed
- You can spend time in parks outside of exercising
From June 1st earliest
- Phased reopening of shops
- Reception, year 1 and Year 6 students could begin going back to school.
- Secondery school students with exams next year in May will get some time with teachers before the summer holidays begin
From July 1st earliest
- Some of the hospitality industry will reopen
- Public places will reopen
The changes that are taking place this week and in the near future apply to the UK as a whole however, there may be differing restrictions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland due to their own separate announcements made over the last couple of days. The timeline will apply indefinitely to England and it’s up to the other UK governments to implement it.
One Response
Schools: it looks like the government will railroad through the opening of schools as child-minding facilities. There is no evidence as yet that this has been properly thought through. In Denmark, for example, class sizes for primaries are now running at 7 (nothing like 15-20 or whatever they used to be) with new toys and equipment being bought and then allocated for very small group use only.
Back here there is evidence that children are transmission routes for covid19 and so there are very serious concerns over whether proper PPE equipment will be provided and whether it will fit women staff anyway. It will be especially needed for those teaching and ancillary staff who come into close contact with children – the very young or those with special needs.
Teachers (many of them parents themselves of course) are keen to return to work but not unless the school environments are safe and suitable for all who work and study in them.