Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed a new coronavirus alert system and revealed England's route out of lockdown - but business leaders say they need more detail on exactly how the country will get back to work.
In a speech tonight, Mr Johnson said workers who cannot work from home - such as those in construction and manufacturing - were now being encouraged to go back to work, though should avoid public transport.
He promised more guidance for employers on how to make workplaces “Covid-secure”.
Mr Johnson said a phased reeopening of shops could begin at the earliest by June 1. And he said that depending on scientific advice and the spread of the disease, “at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places” could be reopened with social distancing measures in place by July.
The PM also unveiled a new coronavirus alert system and the official advice to the public on coronavirus had changed to “stay alert, control the virus, save lives”.
Restriction measures for the virus are a devolved matter for the administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Business leaders said they needed to see more detail on how they could protect employees and customers as they reopened. Union leaders attacked the speech, saying there were mixed messages that could have "lethal" consequences. And leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have rejected his vision and are sticking with the earlier "stay at home" message.
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses share the Prime Minister's ambition to see more people return safely to work over the coming weeks. Companies will do everything they can to protect employees and customers, maintain social distancing and operate successfully as more sections of the economy are permitted to re-open.
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“Businesses will need to see detailed plans for the phased easing of restrictions, coordinated with all nations across the 海角视频 and supported by clear guidance. It is imperative that companies have detailed advice on what will need to change in the workplace, including clarity on the use of PPE.
“Firms will also need to know that government support schemes, which have helped save millions of jobs in recent weeks, will continue for as long as they are needed so that they can plan ahead with confidence.
“The timing of further easing of restrictions must be guided by the public health evidence, but businesses need their practical questions answered so they can plan to restart, rebuild and renew.”
'First glimmer of light' for the 海角视频 economy
Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director general, said: “Today marks the first glimmer of light for our faltering economy. A phased and careful return to work is the only way to protect jobs and pay for future public services. The Prime Minister has set out the first steps for how this can happen.
“Businesses are keen to open and get our economy back on its feet. But they also know putting health first is the only sustainable route to economic recovery. The message of continued vigilance is right.
“This announcement marks the start of a long process. While stopping work was necessarily fast and immediate, restarting will be slower and more complex. It must go hand-in-hand with plans for schools, transport, testing and access to PPE. Firms will want to see a road map, with dates they can plan for.”
Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make 海角视频 – the manufacturers’ organisation, cautiously welcomed the Government encouraging manaufacturers to return to business, adding: “It is critical that there is clear advice on how to do that, and an understanding that firms will be helped to comply as we navigate uncharted waters, and not punished for inadvertent errors.
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“In many parts of manufacturing people will need to work much more closely than two metres apart. It is vital that the guidance is explicit about how this may be achieved safely.”
Jonathan Geldart, director general of the Institute of Directors, said: “Directors know that the battle with this virus is far from over, and they want to play their part in preventing a second spike, which would extend the economic pain.
“As the Government begins to ask more people to return to work, it’s vital that the guidance is clear so that companies can plan how to return safely.
“As people with ultimate legal responsibility, directors need to have confidence that it’s safe, and that if they act responsibly they won’t be at undue risk. Businesses should consult with their people to put in place robust policies, which in many cases might not be an overnight process.
“For a large number of firms, operating under social distancing rules will mean significantly reduced activity, so the Government’s support measures must match continuing restrictions.
“A more flexible furlough system would help businesses get back on their feet, bringing people back to workplaces gradually. Meanwhile, countless small company directors continue to find themselves left out in the cold, unable to access the Government’s aid, and this need to be changed quickly.”
Richard Jones, of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health said: “Health and safety must come first. People shouldn’t re-enter workplaces until employers are certain that they’re properly managing the risk of infection and providing the support that workers need.
“Prevention has to be the focus because, if organisations don’t get this right, workplaces can become places of transmission.”
Union leaders slam PM's statement
John Philips, acting general secretary of the GMB, said: “More mixed messages from the Government – saying there’s no end to lockdown, but asking everyone to go back to work.
“If ministers want the economy moving again, we need strict rules on hygiene and social distancing, enough PPE for everyone, and regulations employers can’t just ignore if they fancy it.
“The overall message is contradictory and confusing, when what people really need is clarity.”
Key points of Boris Johnson's 'road map' to reopening the country
On Sunday night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed his "first sketch of a road map for reopening society”.
According to the PA news agency, the key points are:
A new Covid Alert System is being set up determined mainly by the reinfection rate and the number of cases.
The alert levels will be one to five and the higher the level, the tougher social distancing measures will have to be. The PM said the 海角视频 had been in Level Four but “we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three”.
From Monday, people who cannot work from home are being actively encouraged to go to work instead of being told to only go if they must.
But they should avoid public transport if at all possible.
From Wednesday, people are being encouraged to take unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise and even play sports, but only with members of their household.
Visiting and sunbathing in local parks will also be allowed as will driving to other destinations.
But social distancing rules will still have to be obeyed with bigger fines for those who break them.
Schools may begin to reopen by June 1 at the earliest along with the phased reopening of shops.
And at least some pubs, restaurants, hotels and other public places could begin to reopen in July at the earliest “if and only if the numbers support it”.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) advised its members not to work if they felt unsafe, saying the Government was shifting away from the stay at home message, which would unleash a surge in passengers on the railways and Tubes from tomorrow, breaching social- distancing measures with “potentially lethal consequences” for staff and the public.
Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said the new “stay alert” slogan was meaningless rhetoric, adding: “Tonight the Prime Minister told millions of people they can immediately return to work – with 12 hours notice for many, telling them they can’t use public transport and with no assurances on whether PPE, social distancing and other safety measures will be in place.
“That wasn’t a message from the Prime Minister. It was a message from big business and those who put profit before people.
“Never mind being led by the science, the British response is now being led by the money.”
Manuel Cortes, Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary, said the “mixed messaging” from the Prime Minister was “dangerous”, adding: “By comparison, the clarity from Scotland and Wales is somewhat of a relief.
“The PM telling people who can’t work from home to go to work but not use public transport is a ridiculous notion by someone who appears to have lost all grasp of reality. It will cause chaos. Our transport network is not ready for any increase in passengers.
“We won’t allow our members to be used as Covid-19 cannon fodder so that Tory donors in the building industry can make a quick buck at their expense and that of our key worker heroes who need safe access to our public transport network to keep people alive.”
Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford said the “stay home” message had not changed in Wales, while Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster also said the “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” message would still be used there.
After a Cobra meeting with the PM and her fellow devolved leaders, Scottish First Minister Sturgeon criticised the “vague and imprecise” stay alert slogan as potentially “catastrophic” and said it would not be used north of the Border.