News
Ellie Abraham
Feb 22, 2021
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today made an announcement on the road map and steps the country will take in coming out of the third national lockdown. According to his announcement, the steps taken will depend on four factors: vaccine deployment, reduction in hospitalisations and deaths, infection rates and new variants. But, he said, the “end is in sight”.
The first step will begin on 8 March as all schools and higher education settings will resume face-to-face learning. On 29 March, outdoor gatherings of six people will be permitted and outdoor sports can resume.
If infection and hospitalisation rates permit, the 12th of April could see the re-opening and resumption of non-essential retail, personal beauty, outdoor venues, gyms and pools, holiday lettings and weddings/funerals. However, there will still be limits around numbers and households involved.
May could see indoor mixing allowed between six people and the reopening of the hospitality sector. International travel may also resume and crowds may be allowed to return to professional sporting events. Looking ahead to June, Johnson said, data permitting, all limits on household mixing could be removed and close-contact settings like nightclubs and festivals re-opened.
For many people, the announcement brought some much-needed hope for the future. But others were cautious of getting too excited just yet.
Why can’t I watch Boris’ announcement without crying!? It’s not even a sad cry any more it’s a cry of excitement fo… https://t.co/4EBKJVMK7u— Miss Webb (@Miss Webb) 1614009319
People can take what they want from Boris’ announcement, but for me, I am happy and excited to finally see a way ou… https://t.co/U1TEFi4G8q— Connor Jacques (@Connor Jacques) 1614010056
As much as I’d like to get excited over Boris’s new plan I just can’t cause I know for a fact come summer we’ll be in another fat lockdown🥴🙄— AmyBurrows💃🏼 (@AmyBurrows💃🏼) 1614010542
Boris has sold too many dreams but let me just be excited for 30 minutes looooool— Rudest Little Madam 🦋 (@Rudest Little Madam 🦋) 1614010392
8th of March, 12th of April and the 21st of June all competing to be the biggest buzz ever 🤩 #Road2Recovery https://t.co/7zpvaEzNTK— T 𓆃 (@T 𓆃) 1614010564
On issues such as the school's reopening on 8 March, people were similarly divided on the government’s decision, with some fearing it may be too much too soon.
My friend who works in parliament sent me this in early feb as a joke. Didn’t think for a second it might actually… https://t.co/0LOfKSWQtF— johnny2names (@johnny2names) 1613981803
All schools back at once... #schoolsreopeninguk #schoolsreopening https://t.co/1B7yOa6Yqf— Debbie_0512 (@Debbie_0512) 1614004025
kinda excited to go to school but i feel like i’m the only one— bat (@bat) 1614009955
We are all excited to be back today. Looking forward to today’s announcements about schools returning and hopeful w… https://t.co/GEdkFWf1lB— Oak Trees MAT (@Oak Trees MAT) 1613979371
The hairdressers potentially reopening on 12th June also proved to be a big talking point.
Aw am looking forward to is the hairdressers opening 🥲 I am this close 🤏🏽 to box dying my hair— ShannonIngles (@ShannonIngles) 1614010483
Hairdressers & barbers could potentially reopen on the 12th of April! https://t.co/wYeNkOqRNQ— Henry Holtby (@Henry Holtby) 1614009392
I just read that hairdressers won’t open until May. Safety first but really??? 😬😮😬😮 https://t.co/3B1aUM0qMl— Claire C (@Claire C) 1613977207
Me coming out of my cave on the 12th of April https://t.co/pVcKi6DfoQ— Coulton. (@Coulton.) 1614009314
Meanwhile, for many, the potential reopening of clubs in June was the one bit of good news they’d been waiting to hear for almost a year.
Just the thought of hearing Rain On Me in a club is enough to make me faint I have no idea what I’m gonna do when it actually happens— jack rem x (@jack rem x) 1614009807
SHUT UP CLUBS COULD REOPEN JUNE 21ST OH SHITTTTTT HOT GIRL SUMMER INCOMING— james (@james) 1614009027
Whole of England on 21 June in the clubs 🍺 https://t.co/DmCayviPM3— ttam_k (@ttam_k) 1614010871
Boris is saying night clubs could be open June 21st? Me on June 20 https://t.co/DxnILtjsox— L (@L) 1614008922
Clubs reopening in June?? https://t.co/I1xazIeOFb— dan (@dan) 1614010690
In reaction to Boris Johnson’s statement, Labour leader Keir Starmer agreed with the health basis on which the decisions are being made. But, he highlighted how the roadmap was not accompanied by new economic support for businesses that, for the time being, have to remain closed.
As @Keir_Starmer said, it is unforgivable that the government has not announced details of economic support alongsi… https://t.co/JvAItFBQBU— Lucy Powell MP (@Lucy Powell MP) 1614010594
It is vital that Government economic support is extended to support businesses and safeguard jobs for some time, bu… https://t.co/cjZ8xENT0a— 💙Rachael Maskell MP (@💙Rachael Maskell MP) 1614009199
There’s no doubt this pandemic has been a test for all of us. Whatever happens in the future, let’s hope that lockdown 3 is the last lockdown we ever have to live through.
Top 100
The Conversation (0)
x