UK Might be “Open” by mid-June (Doubtful!)

Earlier today I mentioned that Spain, Italy, and Australia have basically indicated they are closed to tourism through 2020. France had previously signaled September as a target.

UK Timeline for Reopening

I was surprised to notice that the UK is discussing a quicker current timeline for re-opening, with everything from weddings and funerals to movie theaters and sports venues open on June 15th, 2020.

Reported by the Daily Mail and other publications, the plan would work as described below. The catch? Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has come out and said that this is not a formal plan, no decisions have been made around reopening schools, and that the government is not seriously considering this plan. Still, it provides a glimmer of hope – so let’s take a look at what it could look like, even if it likely won’t.

The Traffic Light Plan

The so-called “traffic light plan” would start May 11th with small non-essential shops reopening along with nurseries, but not much else. That’s the Red Phase.

May 25th, known as the Amber Phase, would be when businesses smaller than 50 people could head back to the office and some social distancing measures are lifted. Restaurants would reopen but with some social distancing guidelines.  Schools would reopen. A mask would be required on public transit (sidebar: I think cities with public transit should have compulsory masks until we have a treatment for COVID-19).

The “Green Phase” would allow for wide freedom, with weddings and funerals back on, movie theaters, comedy clubs, and sports venues reopened, gyms can reopen with enhanced sterilization, and pubs would reopen with some restrictions.

My Take

This plan does seem overly ambitious. I could see a lot of it coming to bear, but let’s be honest – packed stadiums and venues within 2 months? I don’t see that happening until there is a proven therapeutic treatment for the coronavirus. That sounds like a sure-fire way to have a second wave of mass contagion.

What are your thoughts?

Let me know here, on Twitter, or in the private MilesTalk Facebook group.

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