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Micro-Lockdowns Could Shut Individual U.K. Offices and Schools

Micro-Lockdowns Could Shut Individual U.K. Offices and Schools

(Bloomberg) --

Individual U.K. businesses, schools, hospitals and housing estates could be isolated on a local level if coronavirus flares up, under Prime Minister Boris Johnson plan to relax lockdown rules.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the new track, trace and isolate plan would have a “very local element to it.” The measures which include hiring 25,000 contact tracers to monitor the spread of the virus, are due to come into operation next week, although a mobile phone app to help track the spread of infections has been delayed.

“If there is a flare-up in one particular community -- and that could be applied on a small scale, like a particular workplace or school -- then measures can be introduced, which hopefully the public will get behind, to enable us to control the virus in that locality,” Jenrick told BBC News on Wednesday.

Like governments across Europe, Johnson’s administration is seeking to ease the restrictions and restart the stalled economy while not allowing the virus to spread out of control again. The premier has announced that all non-essential retailers in England can reopen from June 15, with schools also starting to open up from June 1. Since May 13, groups of friends or family no larger than two have been permitted to meet outside if they maintain a two-meter distance.

Officials are weighing up allowing social “bubbles,” in which larger groups of friends or family members from different households can meet, potentially including in their private gardens.

Ministers are preparing to unveil details of their plans for greater social contact between friends and family and a government official suggested an announcement could come by the end of the week, if scientific advisers agree that it’s safe.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.