Boris Johnson will tell the public to “stay alert, control the virus and save lives” as he shifts his messaging in the battle against Covid-19.
The new slogan, first reported by the Sunday Telegraph, comes as the Prime Minister prepares to drop his “stay home” messaging.
Tomorrow the Prime Minister will call on workers and businesses to stay alert by following strict social distancing rules, as the Government urges employees who cannot work from home to begin returning to offices and factories.
The government’s new five-tier system, similar to a scheme used to publicise terror threat levels, will be used to flag up any coronavirus risk.
It was also encourage the nation to stick to all the rules which include social distancing.
Sign up to get the Mirror’s daily coronavirus briefing email at mirror.co.uk/email – in your inbox after the press conference every evening.
(Image: Getty)
Alerts will range from level one (green) to level five (red) and Mr Johnson is expected to claim England is on the verge of moving from four, the second highest level, to three.
Once it is at three is means the infection rate is not increasing rapidly.
The system will be managed by a Joint Biosecurity Centre, which will be responsible for detecting local spikes of coronavirus enabling ministers to increase restrictions where needed in its fight reduce infection rates.
The Government’s current slogan “Stay at home, Protect the NHS, Save lives” will be dropped as Mr Johnson tries to reopen sections of the economy.
It will be replaced with “Stay alert, Control the virus, Save lives” which has been devised by Isaac Levido, an Australian strategist, and Ben Guerin, 25, from New Zealand, who advised the Tories on their social media strategy during last year’s election.
This comes after the Bank of England warned the nation was on course for its sharpest recession on record.
Despite the Government encouraging employees to return to work Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, warned that social distancing rules means that when the UK transport networks returned to operating at full capacity just only one in 10 passengers would be able to travel, to minimise the risk of transmitting coronavirus.
(Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)
1. From Monday
Unlimited exercise allowed. Employees to be encouraged to return to workplaces that have stayed open through- out the lockdown if safe. Garden centres could reopen while there may be more guidance on the use of outdoor spaces including open-air markets, high streets and cemeteries.
2. End of May/Start of June
Phased return of primary schools in England, starting with Year 6. Households could be allowed to expand “social bubble” to meet one other household of family or friends.
3. June (End)
Phased return of secondary schools in England before the summer holidays. Small team sports such as five-a-side football could be allowed, along with outdoor gatherings of fewer than 30 people. Cafes with outdoor seating could reopen while outdoor sports like golf, tennis and angling might resume. Possible return of Premier League matches, although behind closed doors.
4. End of August/Start of September
Pubs, bars and restaurants could gradually reopen although customers would be expected to follow strict social distancing rules.
5. October
Possible return of football fans to matches. Gyms could be allowed to re-open. But any further lifting of restrictions to get back to normal life would be in doubt amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus or an outbreak of seasonal flu.
Mr Johnson’s “roadmap”, which aims to get the country back to normal, is staggered over the next six months but he said some steps will happen on Monday “if we possibly can”.
While gyms aren’t expected to open until at least October, Brits will now be able to exercise as much as they like outdoors from Monday.
Employees at businesses that have stayed open throughout the lockdown will be able to return to their workplaces – providing it’s safe.
Garden centres could also reopen, while restrictions around open-air markets and high streets could be eased which allow traders resume with guidance from the Government.
They will also issue guidance surrounding funeral burials and visiting cemeteries.
The Government ‘s draft 50-page blueprint for easing the coronavirus lockdown will be rolled out in five staggered steps between Monday and October.
