Yolande Phaithaisong
At 2pm on Monday, the government released a fifty-one-page document titled “Our plan to rebuild”. This document has the full exit plan for England, and now comes with a new message “stay alert”. But what about Scotland’s exit strategy?
The government’s exit strategy from Lockdown in England consists of three phases. However, the prime minister has stated that this plan is just a sketch and that restrictions will only be relaxed when Covid-19 is under control.
Phase one had already gotten under way on Wednesday. This meant that people in England who are not able to work from home were “actively encouraged” to return to work under the government’s plans. There will also be some relaxation of personal restrictions. For instance, people in English will be able to go sunbathing, and exercise unlimitedly. Driving to a national park or beach will also be permitted.
The second phase will happen on June 1st, at the earliest. This is when the government will reopen primary schools and may also reopen non-essential retailers such as clothes shops, and the restarting of sports events behind closed doors.
The final phase could be as early as July 4th. This will then be the time to reopen “at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been forced to close”. However, some businesses like pubs, where it is very crowded, will be the last to open and this could be as early as autumn.
In Scotland the First minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says that her key approach remains the same with the “Stay at home message”. At the time of writing, even though we haven’t been told how Scotland might exit out of Lockdown, Nicola Sturgeon has given a hint to what may happen in her “looking beyond lockdown” document.
So far, in Scotland, the government has said businesses should only open if what they do is absolutely essential to tackling lockdown or the Coronavirus. People are also now allowed to go out for exercise more often, but this is only if it takes place close to home and that it is with members of your household or by yourself.
The message “Stay at home” remains.
