Boris Johnson Warns ’Maximum Caution’ Needed As UK Poised To Ease Lockdown

By Staff, Agencies

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told senior ministers on Thursday that the government would adopt "maximum caution" as he prepared to outline how lockdown measures imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak could be eased.

Johnson will address the nation Sunday evening to set out a "roadmap" for relaxing social distancing rules announced in late March, but is not expected to make any major changes to the measures.

Although officials suggested that the spread of COVID-19 in Britain has fallen markedly, the country has the world's second highest official death toll, with another 539 fatalities announced Thursday taking its total to 30,615.

However, broader official data released this week put the total number of deaths by late April above 32,000 -- including 107 health care workers and 29 care staff.

"We have come through the peak but it is a very delicate and... very dangerous moment, so we do need to proceed with caution," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said at the daily Downing Street news conference.

"The virus is not beaten yet. It remains deadly and infectious," he added.

Raab said Johnson would detail a "roadmap for the next phase" Sunday that would include "appropriate measures to be taken at appropriate milestones" and "strict conditions with strict monitoring."

Johnson’s spokesman had earlier said that he used the phrase "maximum caution" when talking to colleagues at a cabinet meeting.

Media reports Thursday said unlimited exercise and picnics will be allowed as part of the early easing of restrictions.

The announcement came as the Bank of England warned Thursday the British economy could slump by 14 percent because of the outbreak, although it would rebound by 15 percent next year.

Johnson's spokesman said the "worst thing we could do" is relax restrictions and allow a second spike in virus rates which would require fresh measures, hitting the economy further.