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(Adds comments on travel, local election)
LONDON, May 3 (Reuters) - Britain is on course to ditch the
COVID-19 social distancing rule requiring people to stay at
least one metre apart towards the end of next month, Prime
Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.
Johnson's government has set out a roadmap to end lockdown
restrictions in stages as widespread vaccinations help to
suppress infections.
June 21 has been set as a date when social distancing could
end.
Asked about that possibility during a campaign visit in
northern England, Johnson said: "I think we've got a good
chance, a good chance, of being able to dispense with one-metre
plus."
The one-metre plus rule means people need to stay at least
that distance apart and take other mitigating measures to
prevent the spread of infections. It has been heavily criticised
by the hospitality industry.
The next stage of the government's unlocking plans is May
17, when restrictions on foreign travel are expected to be
eased, but not lifted.
Johnson struck a cautious tone ahead of that deadline.
"We do want to do some opening up on May the 17th, but I
don't think that the people of this country want to see an
influx of disease from anywhere else. I certainly don't. We've
got to be very, very tough, and we've got to be as cautious as
we can," he said.
Amid campaigning, Johnson has faced questions about who paid
for the refurbishment of his apartment and childcare for his
young son.
Campaigning ahead of an election for a parliamentary seat
and local government elections, he declined to answer questions
about opposition Labour Party allegations of sleaze.
"All this kind of stuff is absolutely not relevant," he
said, adding that voters wanted to focus on policies ahead of
the elections on Thursday.
(Reporting by William James; Editing by Alex Richardson and
Nick Macfie)
