Johnson opts for slow end to lockdown Emily Ashton and Alex Morales, Bloomberg Feb. 22, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail A social-distancing floor marker sits in a classroom at All Saints Catholic College in Manchester, England, on Sept. 1, 2020.Bloomberg photo by Anthony Devlin British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared the end of the pandemic is "in sight" for England as he set out his aim to ease lockdown rules in a series of stages over the next four months. Johnson detailed a four-step plan that will reopen schools from March 8, outdoor hospitality from mid-April and sports stadiums by mid-May. From June 21 all remaining businesses, such as nightclubs, will resume operations and rules on social contact will be scrapped.