UK could start lifting coronavirus lockdown measures from Monday, PM says

The U.K. could start easing its coronavirus lockdown restrictions as early as Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday. “We will want, if we possibly can, to get going with some of these measures on Monday,” Johnson told Parliament in his first Prime Minister’s Questions session since falling ill with Covid-19.

He added that a statement will be made on Sunday after the government reviews the latest data, adding it would be a “good thing” if people knew what to expect the following day.

Britain now has the highest Covid-19 death toll in Europe, according to the latest official figures, climbing past Italy which, alongside Spain, has been among the worst-affected countries globally.

Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, criticized the prime minister over the latest death statistics, asking him: “How on Earth did it come to this?” In reply, Johnson said: “At this stage, I don’t think that international comparisons and the data is yet there to draw all the conclusions that we want.”

The U.K.’s coronavirus death toll has risen to 30,076, the government said Wednesday, an increase of 649 fatalities from the previous day. Over 201,000 people have tested positive for the disease. Housing Minister Robert Jenrick said that crucial construction work is now gradually resuming following a building safety agreement with local authorities.

UK could start lifting coronavirus lockdown measures from Monday, PM says, CNBC, May 6