People living in England got more freedom to leave their homes, including to go to work — the first stage of an easing of the seven-week coronavirus lockdown, AFP reports.

The partial lifting of restrictions comes despite concern that Britain has the second-highest death toll from the virus in the world.

Under the new guidelines, which do not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged millions unable to work from home to return to their jobs.

More than 36,000 people have died from Covid-19 in the country and there are still high mortality rates in care homes.