Downing Street hears of plans for reopening housing market
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The UK government communities secretary has said yesterday's moves (Wednesday, May 13) will help 'renew' England's housing market and construction sector.
At last night's Downing Street briefing UK communities secretary Robert Jenrick refused to be drawn on whether teachers would be penalised if they refuse to return to work early next month.
Mr Jenrick said that from now most people in England will again be allowed to move house, estate agents offices will open and viewings will go ahead, subject to guidelines on social distancing and hygiene.
The rules do not apply in Scotland and, in England, people who are self-isolating or who are suffering from coronavirus will also still not be allowed to move house.
Also announcing measures to get the construction industry moving again he said building sites would be allowed to operate until 9pm in residential areas and later in non-residential areas.
"Today we are reopening, restarting and renewing the housing market and the construction industry," he said.
As part of moves to ease coronavirus restrictions in England from this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "road map" set out the start of June as the point at which it is hoped school pupils can start returning to classes.
It was later announced that parents who refuse to allow their children to return to school at that time will not be fined for doing so.
In reply to a question about whether staff will be required to return to work whether or not they personally believe it is safe to do so, Mr Jenrck said: "The education secretary is working very closely with trades unions and with teaching professionals to ensure they are comfortable and have sufficient guidance to return to work."
Saying that many teachers had continued working to care for the children of key workers as well as vulnerable children he added: "We will keep working with trades unions to provide as much comfort as we possibly can to get schools open as quickly as possible."
A total of 229,705 people across the UK have now tested positive for coronavirus, an increase of 3242 since yesterday.
The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 now stands at 11,327 – down from 13,273 last week.
The UK death toll now stands at 33,186 – up 494 since yesterday.
