A pre-recorded televised statement on Sunday evening by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson calling on people across the UK to return to work from Monday if they cannot continue to do so from home has continued to generate criticism and ridicule.
In the address, Johnson had unveiled a road map to resuming activity in the country following more than six weeks under lockdown. He characterized his plan as a cautious balance between keeping new infections down while easing the economic burden the pandemic has had on millions in the UK.
“We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home, for instance, those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work,” he said.
Johnson also announced several other new measures which include that people returning to work should avoid public transport where possible. Primary schools could open from June 1, but that is the best-case scenario and that more shops and the hospitality sector could reopen in July, depending on circumstances.
This has however not gone down well with Keir Starmer, the leader of the main opposition Labour Party, who said that Johnson’s statement lacked the clarity the nation was looking for.
“The basic message, stay alert, just isn’t clear enough and the Prime Minister’s statement raises just as many questions as it answers. I think there are real problems here. Basically, those that can’t work at home are being told to go to work tomorrow. That’s millions of people and that means go to work in about 12 hours’ time, mixed with the message that if it’s possible to do so, don’t use public transport — that’s quite a thing to spring on people for tomorrow morning” he said.
On her part, Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon described Johnson’s new slogan as “vague and imprecise,”. She said on Sunday that people in her nation could begin exercising more than once a day from Monday, but all other lockdown rules would be retained.
“I have asked the UK government not to deploy their ‘Stay Alert’ advertising campaign in Scotland, because the message at this stage in Scotland is … except for the essential reasons you know about, stay at home,” Sturgeon said Sunday.
“We must not squander our progress by easing up too soon, or by sending mixed messages that result in people thinking its okay to ease up now. Let me be very blunt about the consequences if we were to do that: people will die unnecessarily. We must not take that risk,” she added.
The United Kingdom is one of the world’s hardest-hit nations in the pandemic. More than 31,000 people have died, according to government data.
Johnson is expected to give more details of his road map in parliament on Monday, where he will no doubt face tough questions from MPs over his new messaging to the public.
