In the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Boris Johnson (pictured) has reportedly announced that the nation’s retail sportsbooks could well be allowed to begin emerging from their coronavirus-induced lockdowns from as early April 12.

According to a Monday report from The Sun newspaper, the revelation from the Conservative politician came as part of his ‘one way road to freedom’ plan that will endeavor to get the country out of its third nationwide lockdown on all non-essential businesses. The source detailed that this roadmap could also see students return to schools across England by March 8 and allow hairdressers and gyms to resume operations from as soon as mid-April.

Developing dilemma:

The United Kingdom has so far recorded well over 120,000 deaths linked to coronavirus and instituted its latest lockdown from January 4 following a substantial Christmas-related rise in infections. However, the government has since begun a nationwide vaccination program that has inoculated approximately 624,000 people against the potentially-lethal ailment and hopes to have immunized the country’s entire population by the end of the summer.

Relaxed relief:

The newspaper reported that Johnson’s plan could moreover see pubs in England re-open for outdoor service in May before later welcoming customers for indoor drinking should infection rates subsequently remain low. However, working from home is purportedly due to remain until at least June with nightclubs, bingo halls and cinemas expected to remain shuttered until well into the summer.

Johnson reportedly declared…

“The vaccination program has dramatically changed the odds in our favor. Today the end really is in sight and a wretched year will give way to a spring and a summer that will be very different and incomparably better than the picture we see around us today.”

Considered caution:

At the same time as expressing optimism, Johnson reportedly furthermore warned that the government could be forced to reinstitute restrictions in the event that a new and more deadly coronavirus variant emerges. He purportedly also pronounced that his administration may similarly delay or reverse the lifting of curbs should the roll-out of vaccinations be significantly delayed or if the National Health Service (NHS) is put under ‘unstainable pressure’ courtesy of a surge in infections.