Brits to return to ‘Covid-secure offices’ from mid-May under post-lockdown plans
BRITS could go back to work in "coronavirus-secure" offices from the middle of May under post-lockdown plans.
A Treasury proposal to get Britain going again after weeks of restrictions includes encouraging non-essential businesses to reopen.
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plans to keep workplaces safe would include social distancing measures to keep workers apart and free-flowing hand sanitiser.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is said to be involved in putting together measures to get Brits to work in a "safe and practical way".
They could come in as early as next month after the lockdown is reviewed on May 7 - although ministers could decide to extend restrictions for weeks more.
Workers could be told to keep two metres apart at all times and not to come in if they have any symptoms of coronavirus.
Communal spaces may be shut down unless people are able to stay distanced, and there would have to be hand-washing areas and hand gel available.
Train companies are said to be getting ready to run fuller timetables within three weeks in case ministers remove some restrictions.
It comes as it was revealed lockdown rules could be eased to allow people to socialise with ten of their closest family and friends.
Ministers are reportedly looking at easing strict "stay at home" rules in favour of creating groups of people known as "clusters" or "bubbles".
It comes as:
- Health secretary says it's still too early too lift lockdown
- New home tests for key workers run out in minutes
- Hairdressers set to stay shut for another six months
- First UK volunteers injected with coronavirus vaccine trial
- Black coronavirus patients are dying at almost twice the rate of white patients
- Companies re-opening were "never required to close"
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The clusters will be small groups of households with no more than ten people who can socialise somewhat freely, reports the .
And then those people inside the group will still be unable to mingle with the general public as before the coronavirus lockdown.
But Brits will today be warned they could be hit with even stricter lockdown measures if they continue to flout the rules.
Five weeks after the severe restrictions were introduced, roads, beaches and parks have started filling up again.
At a news conference, Home Secretary Priti Patel will produce official data that proves rule-breaking is on the increase.
On Friday, the Welsh government announced tougher measures to stop non-essential trips.
The lockdown measures were reviewed on Thursday, April 16, where the restrictions were extended until May 7 - when there will be another review.
In the Government briefing on April 9, Dominic Raab said the lockdown rules will "have to stay in place until we've got the evidence that clearly shows we've moved beyond the peak".
It comes as the UK coronavirus death toll has risen to 19,506 after 768 more hospital deaths were recorded yesterday.
So far, 143,464 have tested positive for the killer bug in Britain - up 5,386 from Thursday.
The number of deaths recorded between Monday and Friday this week is also down 13% on figures recorded over the same period the week before.
In England, 17,373 people have died after 587 more deaths were announced yesterday - including 34 healthy people.
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