Lowering The Shield

2m old & vulnerable allowed out of their homes a month early

- Pippa Crerar

Over two million vulnerable people shielding from coronavirus will be able to leave their homes for the first time in months today, despite top scientists warning the Government could be moving too fast.

Primary schools in England will also start to open for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils today. And non-vulnerable groups of up to six people can now meet outdoors, with social distancing.

News of the easing of some restrictions came as people flocked to beaches and parks yesterday in defiance of the lockdown rules that remained in force over the weekend. Beauty spots were jammed with crowds as temperatures soared, hitting 25C at Heathrow.

The relaxing of the rules for the elderly and vulnerable comes a month earlier than planned. Official Government advice had initially told those at risk to shield till the end of June.

And the changes come despite the UK threat level remaining at four out of five on the official scale, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously suggesting that measures would not be lifted till we hit level three. But Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab insisted yesterday that the UK is “transitioning” down to level three. Mr Raab admitted it was a “sensitive moment”, but added: “We can’t just stay in lockdown forever”. At the No10 briefing yesterday, Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said he was “reasonably confident” that the infection rate would remain under control.