Portsmouth politicians split after Boris Johnson announces 'first careful steps' towards easing lockdown restrictions

The prime minister’s televised speech yesterday gave the first details of the government’s exit strategy for the coronavirus pandemic, calling them the ‘first careful steps’ towards ending lockdown.

Having taken advice from government experts and other political parties, Mr Johnson announced that from Wednesday, people will be allowed to go to parks, drive to other destinations and play sports outside – but only with members of their own households.

The advice for those who are considered ‘high-risk’ remains the same – to stay indoors and shield themselves from the virus until at least June 30.

Anyone who cannot work from home, such as in the construction or manufacturing industry, has been urged to start working again as long as social distancing guidelines can be obeyed.

From June 1 at the earliest, the government may be in a position to begin reopening shops and phase primary children back into schools.

The third step, re-opening some of the hospitality industry and other public places, could happen in July if the government deems it safe.

Locally, politicians have thanked people for their work in combatting the virus thus far, but warn there is still more work to do.

However, others are concerned that the government may be moving too fast for the country to cope.

Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, Penny Mordaunt, said: ‘I know how hard this has been; the heroic acts of those on the frontline, families being separated and children missing out on school and social activities.

‘Thanks to your efforts we are turning the tide.

‘What we do now is critical – and will be determined by how the virus is spreading. We must all keep going.’

Fellow Conservative MPs Caroline Dinenage and Suella Braverman have voiced caution against rushing back to normality.

Ms Dinenage, MP for Gosport, said: ‘It is vitally impoirtant, after all the sacrifices we have made as a country, that we don’t risk plunging back towards a second peak of infection.’

Fareham MP Mrs Braverman added: ‘It is absolutely essential that we manage to get the reproduction rate of the disease down to a manageable level, before we ease ourselves back into daily life.’

People who are considered ‘high-risk’ were not mentioned in the prime minister’s address.

The advice they have received from the government is to stay indoors and shield themselves from the virus until at least June 30.

But leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson says the government should be more clear about it.

He said: ‘There was a real lack of detail when it comes to people who are high-risk.

‘It’s right to have a graduated response, but workforces don’t have enough time to implement social distancing guidelines before everyone comes back to work.

‘The government just don't seem to think stuff through.’

Labour MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, added: ‘The government’s priority must be protecting the public’s health and saving lives – that’s why I supported the lockdown in the first place and again support the restrictions staying in place at this time.

‘The problem I have is the speed at which the prime minister expects people to response to the announcement.

‘Can businesses really put in place all they need to keep staff safe?’