British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a modest easing of the coronavirus lockdown yesterday and outlined his government’s road map for further lifting restrictions in the coming months, Sky News reports.

In a televised address to the nation, Johnson said people in Britain who can’t work from home, such as those in construction or manufacturing jobs, “should be actively encouraged to go to work” this week.

He said that starting Wednesday, a restriction limiting outdoor exercise to once a day will be lifted and that people will be able to take “unlimited amounts.”

The prime minister, who spent a week in the hospital receiving treatment for the virus, stressed that social distancing guidelines still will have to be observed and said it would be “madness” to allow a second spike in infections.

Johnson also laid out a “conditional plan” for relaxing other lockdown restrictions in the coming months, including the possible return to school from some younger children on June 1. He said he hoped some of the hospitality industry can reopen a month later.

And in a bid to kickstart the economy, Johnson said anyone who cannot work from home - such as those in construction and manufacturing - should be "actively encouraged" to go to work from Monday.

The PM stressed that now "is not the time" to end the lockdown altogether - and said the government is simply taking "the first careful steps" to ease certain measures.

Explaining how things will change from Wednesday, he added: "You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household."

However, Johnson warned that fines are going to be increased for the "small minority" who fail to obey social distancing rules.-Photo: Sky News

You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household, Boris Johnson has told UK citizens.

UK takes careful, baby steps to easing lockdown