The government might let friends and family meet in small ‘bubbles’

As the UK lockdown continues to drag on, people are desperate for any updates on when things might start to get back to normal – or at least something more like normal.

It looks like we’ll have some answers soon, with Boris Johnson announcing yesterday that he’ll reveal the first steps towards easing coronavirus restrictions this week.

While no one wants to end lockdown too early and risk another rise in infections and deaths, people will be happy to hear that they soon might be able to see certain friends and family members.

Stepping Hill Hospital / Twitter

According to reports, one option the government is considering would be to allow people to expand their ‘social bubbles’. Essentially, you would nominate a list of people from no more than one or two households that you would want to see.

This would mean two separate households, or couples who live separately, could spend time together – unfortunately, grandparents who live in separate towns would still have to wait a bit longer before they see their grandkids.

However, the Prime Minister also warned that the country remains at ‘maximum risk’ from the virus, and that it was too early to fully end lockdown – lifting the restrictions too soon would lead to a second peak and more deaths.

Downing Street also warned some areas could see a toughening of lockdown restrictions – like a 14-day quarantine on new arrivals at UK ports and airports – with a spokesperson saying:  “There could be easing in some areas. There could also be a toughening in other areas.”

When it comes to schools, while there is optimism that they could reopen in June, it’s unlikely to happen any sooner – the issue probably won’t be addressed officially before the next review on May 7th.

As of yesterday, Monday April 27th, the coronavirus death toll in the UK was 21,092, rising by 360 – the lowest daily rise in four weeks.