South Coast Coronavirus Action Committee voice concerns about the potential early easing of lockdown

The South Coast Coronavirus Action Committee (SCCAC) met on Thursday outside of Portsmouth Guildhall to warn the government about the dangers of a ‘premature and unsafe easing of the lockdown’.

The ‘No Going Back until it’s Safe’ protest stressed that ‘saving peoples lives and protecting the NHS is more important than making money’.

Committee member, Jon Woods, said: ‘The government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has been shambolic. The UK looks set to top the European death toll. As we await the government’s announcement about relaxing the lockdown we are already seeing more traffic on the roads and more economic activity.’

Ahead of Boris Johnson's public address to the nation at 7pm on Sunday, the group are concerned that economic considerations could be put ahead of public safety.

Mr Woods added: ‘The government gives us an official message to stay at home while giving a nod and wink to business that it’s okay to get people back to work. Unless robust health and safety measures have been planned and agreed with the workers concerned, non-essential business must remain shut down.

‘We cannot afford to trigger a second peak in the virus.’

With high levels of public anxiety about returning to work, the committee have said workers are protected by Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

The Act states: ‘Employees have the right to withdraw from and to refuse to return to a workplace that is unsafe. Employees are entitled to remain away from the workplace if, in their opinion, the prevailing circumstances represent a real risk of serious and imminent danger that they could not be expected to avert.’

SEE ALSO: Fears grow that coronavirus lockdown will widen gaps in Portsmouth and Hampshire education

However, during the government’s daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday, foreign secretary Dominic Raab warned the public about giving too much credence to press speculation and stressed an changes would be ‘modest’.

Mr Raab said; ‘Whatever has been reported in the newspapers is not a a reliable guide. The prime minister will set out a road map on Sunday and I think it’s safe to say that any changes will be small, incremental and carefully monitored.’

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