The UK outlines a plan to reduce lockdown restrictions

Earlier this week, the prime minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, outlined a four-phase plan that will help ease Britain out of lockdown restrictions. 

Describing the plan as "cautious", Boris Johnson said the plan will help the UK reduce the impact of the lockdown restrictions on the British economy. 

The UK will prioritize schools in its opening plans  

The prime minister said the government's outlined plan to remove Britain from the lockdown has four stages. The first stage will involve opening up schools and making sure coronavirus protocols are strictly adhered to and followed by the school. The proposed date for the school reopening is early in March.   

The three remaining stages will be implemented with a five-week gap between each stage. According to Boris Johnson, the earliest date at which all the restrictions can be lifted is around the middle of the year. 

During his speech to the British parliament, the prime minister said coronavirus is still a huge obstacle to the opening of the British economy.  

“We’re able to take these steps because of the resolve of the British public and the extraordinary success of our NHS (National Health Service) in vaccinating more than 17.5 million people across the UK.” he added. 

Britain's economy currently at its worst performance  

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 130,000 people in Britain alone, the UK's economy suffered a huge blow. Economists are saying its current performance is the worst it has ever been in more than 300years. 

The government reportedly believes that the current vaccine rollout will play a huge role in reducing the infection and mortality rate, which will in turn help the economy to bounce back. 

During the unfolding of the four-phase plan, British lawmakers will be allowed to vote on all decisions relating to the plan. Leaders in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also plan to remove some of their lockdown restrictions in the coming months.