Boris may start relaxing lockdown rules early as he returns to work today

The prime minister was spotted making a discreet return to Downing Street ready to start work today (Picture: W8 Media)

Boris Johnson has returned to No 10 to resume duties and could announce plans to ease lockdown measures from as early as this week. The prime minister discreetly arrived at Downing Street on Sunday evening ready to get to back to work after taking some time to recover from coronavirus at the country residence Chequers. This morning, Mr Johnson will chair the Government’s daily 9.15am coronavirus ‘war cabinet’ before holding a second strategy meeting this evening, in which he is expected to set out steps for starting to lift restrictions. Senior Tories have been piling on the pressure to begin lifting lockdown amid mounting concern it is battering the UK economy. It is understood the prime minister is considering ‘modifying’ elements of the lockdown ahead of the May 7 deadline if the science allows it.

.
The PM arrived in a Volkswagen without his usual police motorcade (Picture: W8 Media)

The PM’s car was pictured leaving Chequers on Sunday evening (Picture: AFP) Health minister on Boris Johnson’s return: ‘He was raring to be back’ Play Video Loaded: 0% 0:00Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time0:00 / Duration Time0:53 Fullscreen An ally of the PM told The Telegraph: ‘May 7 is the day when the government is legally obliged to review the lockdown measures but if Boris wants to change the restrictions earlier than that, or at least announce something before that, then he could go sooner.
’ Early measures that could be lifted include allowing those in the construction industry to return to work, as scientific evidence has revealed the virus is much less likely to survive outdoors.

Ministers are also thought to be considering allowing some non-essential businesses to open such as garden centres and car showrooms, provided social-distancing could be maintained. Other measures include the possibility of urging all essential workers to wear a face covering at work and on public transport, following a scientific review of the guidelines. The PM is reportedly ‘bullish’ about lifting some restrictions if he has the scientific backing but the government source insisted that it would be a very gradual easing in a bid to avoid a second spike of infections and deaths.

The PM is expected to make some big announcements (Picture: W8 Media)

Scientists advising the Government have long warned any relaxation risks a second peak, as the numbers of patients in hospital with the disease is beginning to fall. Yesterday, the daily death toll was at its lowest for almost four weeks, with 413 deaths overnight. Over the weekend, ministers highlighted a warning by Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey of the economic devastation a second wave of the disease would cause. Mr Raab said yesterday that the outbreak was still at a ‘delicate and dangerous’ stage and people would have to get used to a ‘new normal,’ with social distancing measures set to remain in place for ‘some time’ to come. On Sunday evening Mr Johnson was spotted being driven into his Downing Street residence at around 6.30pm in a Volkswagen people carrier instead of being tailed by a police motorcade. The prime minister is set to resume full-time duties three weeks after he was hospitalised with Covid-19 and spent three nights in intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will resume his PM duties today (Picture: PA)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will resume his PM duties today (Picture: PA) Dominic Raab, who has been deputising for the PM in his absence, said Mr Johnson was ‘raring to go’ but allies have warned that he is still suffering lagging symptoms of the virus. A source close to the PM told the Mail: ‘It will be a while before he is working 14-hour days again’. However, the prime minister has less than two weeks before the next major decision point comes up with the another three-week review of the lockdown restrictions. Mr Raab said the Government was doing its ‘homework’ in preparation for when the rules could be eased.

 Source:https:metro.co.uk/