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England tentatively began easing its coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday, with some people who cannot do their jobs at home urged to return to work, as stark economic data showed the disastrous impact of the pandemic.
The worst-hit country in Europe with more than 40,000 deaths from Covid-19, including 275 health and care workers, according to official data, Britain has been in lockdown since March 23.
The government is loosening restrictions only gradually, for fear of triggering a second peak of infections. As of Wednesday morning, people in manufacturing and certain other sectors were being asked to return to work if they could not work from home.
Answering questions in parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was "very notable" that in some countries where relaxations had been introduced, there were signs that the rate of contagion was rising again.
"That is a very clear warning to us not to proceed too fast or too recklessly," he said.
Johnson has described the process as a "supremely difficult" balancing act between public health and the economy.
GDP figures showed the economy shrank by a record 5.8 per cent in March from February, and the April data is likely to be worse as the country was under lockdown for the whole month.
"It is now ... very likely that the UK economy will face a significant recession this year and we are in the middle of that as we speak," finance minister Rishi Sunak said.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have semi-autonomous governments, are sticking with a "stay at home" message for now, leaving England, the most populous UK nation, to take the lead in sending some people back to work.
Johnson has been criticised for confusing the public about what can and can't be done safely. People have struggled to reconcile the advice to go to work with strong discouragement from using public transport, and with a lack of childcare while schools remain closed.
Many have also asked why people were not allowed to let friends and relatives into their homes, while they are now authorised to allow prospective home buyers in to view their properties.
"All those who talk about confusion or mixed messages are grossly overstating the position," Johnson said. "The common sense of the British people is shining through."
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