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Boris Johnson sets plan for reopening the UK – 5 tests, 5 alert levels, and 3 steps

Miles Big Ben London

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The UK takes the first step towards reopening

The plan revolves around the R number ( the reproduction rate – currently between 0.5 and 0.9), the number of new infections, and protecting the NHS. Long story short…the lockdown isn’t over, it’s just rolling back gradually, and will roll out via 3 steps over the next few months. The first step, which is laid out below, starts now, with those that absolutely can’t work from home are now encouraged to return to work, i.e. construction jobs, etc. Social distancing will continue to be enforced, and avoiding public transport is advised.  He reiterated that quarantines of new arrivals ( 14 days ) will be enforced, and also laid out a 5 level alert system that is flexible and fluid depending on the R number, but didn’t define the various levels – apparently that will be part of a 50 page document released tomorrow.

5 tests that must be fulfilled:

These various tests must be fulfilled in order to proceed from one step to the next. I believe as they proceed through the steps the alert level will drop until the virus is completely eradicated.

  1. Protect the NHS.
  2. Continued fall in death rate
  3. Continued and fall in the rate of infection.
  4. Enough PPE .
  5. Keep the R number under 1

Boris lays out 5 alert levels

Johnson referenced these 5 alert levels, but reveal exactly what they were – we’ll learn those tomorrow. He did mention that the country was currently on level 4 and level 5 would have been the collapse of the NHS. Level 1, would be the complete absence of Covid in the UK.

  1. Covid-19 is no longer a threat
  2. will update
  3. will update – but essentially it’s the beginning of this current opening phase
  4. What the country is currently under with quarantines, essential workers only, 1 mode of exercise, etc
  5. The most critical – I.e. health system crashing.

3 steps of roll out

The following 3 steps, or phases really, are flexible and simply guidelines that could be rolled back if the R number spikes or the 5 tests fail.  It’s important to note that each is dependent on the fulfilling those 5 tests, and if they do, the next phase would remain on schedule, if not, they would tighten the reins.

Step 1 – Currently rolling out

  • Those that can’t work from home may return to work under specific conditions
  • Public transport should be avoided
    • biking, car, and walking encouraged

Step 2 – June 1st

  • Shops may reopen

Step 3 – July at the earliest

  • Hospitality reopens

You can watch the whole broadcast here

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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3 Comments

  • ghostrider5408 May 10, 2020

    Problem is will Europe or Great Britain open this summer/fall for tourist ?

    • Miles May 10, 2020

      Yep…

      • Christian May 10, 2020

        I thought that they were requiring visitors to quarantine for 14 days?

        On a side note, color me green with envy over the concept of a national plan that doesn’t involve bleach.

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