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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Anna MacSwan

Coronavirus fear grips Britain with workers worried lockdown being lifted too quickly

Brits are enjoying spending time at home and fear the coronavirus lockdown is being lifted too quickly, according to a poll.

A survey has found that more than half (53%) of adults think the Prime Minister is moving too fast in urging the nation to return to work.

The figure is significantly more than the 11% who think the Government is being too slow to lift lockdown measures, and the 30% who say the timing is about right.

The poll, carried out by JL Partners, also revealed that 43% of UK adults like being at home more, compared to just 25% who don't.

It also shows that most parents remain unconvinced it is safe for schools to re-open, with 60% of both primary and secondary parents saying they would not be prepared to send their children back in June.

For the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, read our liveblog here

A majority of adults fear it is too soon to lift lockdown restrictions (AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile more than half (55%) back the right of teaching unions to stop lessons from starting again, compared to just 27% who disagree, the Daily Mail reports.

Under plans unveiled by Boris Johnson earlier this month, it is hoped that pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 can begin returning to classrooms on June 1 as lockdown restrictions are gradually eased.

Next month could also see a phased return to business for non-essential shops.

Workers who are unable to do their jobs from home, particularly those working in construction and manufacturing, have been encouraged to return to work.

However, any further relaxation of lockdown restrictions depends on coronavirus infections continuing to slow, and the "R" reproduction rate remaining below 1.

Most Brits say Prime Minister Boris Johnson is doing a good job (Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Today, the number of Covid-19 patients to die in the UK rose today by 351 to 36,393.

A further 3,287 people were confirmed to have the virus, the Department of Health and Social Care said, bringing the total number of cases to 254,195 since the start of the pandemic.

The poll suggests that the UK public fears a deadly second wave of infections, with a majority saying it is too soon for clothes shops, cafes and restaurants and pubs with outdoor seating to re-open.

This is despite Brits being well aware of the costs of lockdown, with just 6% feeling confident that the nation's economy will bounce back within a year.

A majority believe it will take at least three years for the economy to recover, with one in 10 (13%) of adults saying it will take five to 10 years.

The survey of 2,000 adults also reveals a stark divide in the effect of lockdown on people working in the private and public sector.

While 46% those working in the public sector say they have more money in their pockets as a result of working from home, this is true for only 29% of private sector workers.

By contrast 38% of workers in the private sector, which has laid off or cut pay for tens of thousands of workers, say they are worse off, compared to just 23% of public sector workers.

A majority of Brits say the Government has done a good job in preventing the NHS from becoming overwhelmed during the pandemic.

However, 66% feel that elderly care home residents were not adequately protected.

Nonetheless, most say that Boris Johnson is doing a better job than Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

A total of 42% say Mr Johnson is doing a better job as leader, while 27% back Sir Keir.

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