Boris Johnson has been heavily criticised for failing to show Britain a clear route out of lockdown. Easing a nation out of two months of confinement is a complicated business, and some degree of confusion is almost inevitable. Here, Guardian correspondents look at how other European leaders have managed the process.
Spain’s lockdown exit strategy – known formally as the Plan for the Transition Towards the New Normality – was outlined by the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, during a televised press conference on the evening of 28 April. Sánchez said the country’s four-phase de-escalation initiative would be “gradual and asymmetric”, adding that the first stage – dubbed phase 0 – would come into effect on 4 May.
The prime minister stressed that decisions on moving from one phase to the next would be made on a province-by-province basis, and that some of the worst-affected areas of the country would have to wait longer to move back towards normality. There was some confusion over whether people in areas that had entered phase 1 would be allowed to travel to second homes if they were in the same province. After some mixed messages, the government confirmed that would be possible.
Germany’s gradual lockdown easing announcements have generally been made via press conferences held by the individual leaders of the 16 states, each of which have taken different paths out of lockdown. That in itself has caused confusion: fitness centres are open in North Rhine-Westphalia but not in Berlin; church services were allowed in Bavaria before they were allowed elsewhere. Where and with whom you can have a picnic varies from state to state, as does the number of people who are now allowed to meet together. In general, announcements have been made days or in some cases weeks before they are due to come into force, to give restaurants, schools and businesses time to prepare.
The chancellor, Angela Merkel, has accused some states of moving too fast and ensured all lockdown relaxation agreements include a measure obliging local authorities to reimpose restrictions if coronavirus infections in any municipality exceed 50 per 100,000 inhabitants.
There was some disappointment and frustration when the Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, made his speech on the so-called phase 2 of the coronavirus emergency, but little confusion. He spoke to the nation on 26 April, a week before Italy began easing lockdown rules. The plan for the next few weeks was clearly laid out: manufacturing and construction would resume from 4 May, while bars and restaurants could begin providing a takeout service. Museums, libraries and retailers would reopen on 18 May; bars, restaurants and hairdressers from 1 June, and schools from September. People could walk or exercise in a park, but not travel between regions.
The main point of confusion was when Conte said citizens could visit relatives. He later clarified that this would include partners. Visiting friends, however, is still banned. People are still required to carry a self-declaration form when venturing out. The overall takeaway to “stay home” as much as possible. There was some confusion due to Italy’s regions adapting some regulations: Veneto and Calabria allowed bars and restaurants with outdoor service to open earlier.
France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, unveiled the broad outlines of its lockdown exit in a TV address on 15 April, with the prime minister, Édouard Philippe, presenting the details to parliament on 28 April in an hour-long speech also broadcast live.
Restrictions would be lifted region by region, but in principle, schools would begin a staggered return and most businesses (except cafes, bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres) could reopen from 11 May. Employees would be encouraged to continue working from home if possible and public transport would resume, with masks compulsory and every other seat empty. Travel outside a 100km (60-mile) radius from home would be permitted only for professional or urgent family reasons, and people could start socialising again in groups of no more than 10. Individual sports would be permitted but beaches and some parks will remain closed at least until 1 June, as would larger museums.
Confusion remained over self-isolation rules for people who tested positive, quarantine for travellers to France, what exactly constituted an essential journey and the circumstances masks in which masks would be mandatory, which Philippe addressed in a second presentation on 7 May.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, first announced on 30 March that the country could begin a “gradual, quiet and controlled opening” after Easter. She told a press conference on 6 April that schools for children up to 11 would reopen the following week; some parents objected, saying they did not want their children to be “guinea-pigs”.
On 6 May, Frederiksen announced phase 2 of the country’s exit from lockdown, with “the entire retail sector, including large shopping centres” to reopen as early as 11 May and senior schools and restaurants from 18 May. Last week she said cinemas, museums and zoos could reopen from 8 June, and eased a limit on group gatherings from a maximum of 10 to 30 or 50, depending on the event.
Frederiksen, who has won praise for her straight-talking speeches and clear instructions, also warned that it was expected that reopenings would “lead to a rise in infections and hospital admissions”, and that restrictions would be reimposed if the rise was significant.
Reporting by Jon Henley in Paris Kate Connolly in Berlin, Sam Jones in Madrid and Angela Giuffrida in Rome
