Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday 22nd February a roadmap out of the current lockdown. The roadmap comprises four sets of key dates. Each successive step will be taken on if it is safe to do so after analysing test data
The Lockdown Roadmap
The news of a plan for our imminent exit from lockdown #3 is welcome by many in the community.
The plan or roadmap came in an announcement by Boris Johnson PM yesterday afternoon. There are four key dates in the gradual unlocking process as follows:
- Step 1 has two dates 8 and 29 March. The sectors affected are Education, Social contact, Business, Outdoor activities and Travel
- Step 2 is no earlier than 12 April. Sectors to unlock are non-essential Business, Outdoor activities and Events
- Step 3 is not before 17 May. Social contact, more Businesses, Indoor activities and Events
- Step 4 is no earlier than 21 June. All social contact, and all remaining Businesses and Events
The roadmap seeks to balance between social and economic impacts, whilst preserving the health and safety of the country. Outdoor settings are usually lower risk than indoor, so outdoor activities will open earlier than indoor ones. The table below gives a summary of the roadmap out of lockdown.
However, going from one step to the next one will depend on whether it is safe to do so or not. The dates are guidelines only, so may change. If the effect of the current step does not result in an increase in infection rates, as shown by scientific data, then the next step could be implemented. How will the data be collected?
Four Tests for Lockdown Road Map
Before proceeding to the next step, the Government will examine data to assess the impact of previous easements. This assessment will be based on four tests which are that:
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
- The government’s assessment of the risks does not fundamentally change by new Variants of Concern
Conditions for Step 1
The current data shows that the condition for moving to Step 1 good to go. It shows that infections, hospitalisations, deaths are on the downward trend. The vaccination program is going on successfully and their is confidence that the efficacy of current vaccines does not change due to the new covid variants.
The key news for parents is that all children and students can go back to their schools and colleges as from 8 March 2021. Primary school staff will continue to take two rapid coronavirus tests each week at home.
All secondary school and college students will take three coronavirus tests as they return to the classroom from the 8 March at existing school testing facilities
Secondary school and college staff will also be provided with two tests to use each week at home.
University students on practical courses who need to access specialist facilities and equipment can return to in-person teaching and learning from 8 March. Twice weekly testing will continue to be available for all on campus
Stay Home Use the Roadmap
In the meantime, the normal guidelines continue to apply. Please stay home unless it is an essential journey. Follow the guidelines and the roadmap. We must not risk going back into lockdown.