June 15 suggested under 'traffic light' system of easing lockdown

Comedy clubs could reopen on June 15 under a three-stage ‘traffic light’ plan to end lockdown.

Several well-briefed political correspondents today report that the government is considering a gradual relaxing of social distancing rules if the coronavirus outbreak can be contained.

The first, red, step would involve a limited reopening of schools and certain stores, such as garden centres, DIY warehouses and hairdressers. In the amber stage, restaurants could reopen if tables are placed far enough apart, while the green phase would mark a return to normality - including the reopening of cinemas, theatres and comedy clubs – albeit with a few restrictions, such as the wearing of masks on public transport.

Ministers have been wary of announcing a formal timetable for reopening the country, perhaps wary of giving false hope, and have always insisted that they would follow scientific advice when it comes to easing the lockdown rules.

But several newspapers today have suggested that the red phase could begin from the week of May 11… and some have gone so far as to predict that if all goes well, the green step, including the reopening of venues, could be in force from the week of June 15.

But the timetable would depend on the country attaining consistently low levels of infections and deaths, and the development of widespread, effective testing for Covid-19. However, the World Health Organisation has cast some doubts over how effective a testing policy would be as there is no evidence that catching the coronavirus guarantees future immunity.

Academics at University College London suggested the traffic light scheme as a route forward last week, naming the slightly earlier date of June 13 as when the public would be ‘fully released from lockdown if health experts allowed it’.

Professor Paul Ormerod, who co-authored the briefing paper, said: ‘A lockdown is necessary to limit the spread of the virus and save lives, but it is not feasible or practical to prolong it for too long. A long lockdown will wipe out large swathes of the economy. There will be a negative impact both financially and mentally on too many people.

A relaxing of restrictions by June might allow some form of Edinburgh Fringe to go ahead, as well as some of the large-scale summer festivals not yet cancelled, such as Latitude.

But other nations are plotting a slower return to normality.  In France, Emmanuel Macron, will relax some rules from May 11, with the focus on schools, but bars and restaurants are reportedly unlikely to open before mid-July. In Germany,  large cultural events such as concerts and beer festivals, will remain banned until the end of August.

Although today’s reports in newspapers including The Sunday Times, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun on Sunday, seem well-sourced, Michael Gove told Sky News that the traffic light strategy was not correct.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told Sophy Ridge: ‘It is the case that we are looking at all of the evidence, but we have set some tests which need to be passed before we can think of easing restrictions in this lockdown.’

He also confirmed that the hospitality industry, including pubs, would remain closed until the end of the lockdown, saying: ‘Yes, that is true. They will be among the last.’

The Cabinet Office say: 'At all times we have been guided by scientific advice. The current advice is that relaxing any measures could risk damage to public health, our economy, and the sacrifices we have all made. Only when the evidence suggests it is safe to do so will we adjust these measures.' 

Published: 19 Apr 2020