The government should be wary of diminishing returns as lockdown drags on – it’s time for a clear exit plan

Boris Johnson is facing an issue around rules fatigue and he has to find a way to combat it, writes Janet Street-Porter

Boris Johnson has some choices to make about the speed lockdown is eased (Getty)

Have you become a lockdown liar? As the weeks roll on and on and on, the temptation to skirt around the edges of the rules gets ever greater.

If you’ve got the mobile number of a decent hairdresser, you might have experienced the temptation to make an illegal request. Maybe you’ll offer to pay in cash for an at-home trim or subtle colour job. It’s so tempting, and who would know? As for body maintenance (anything to lift our spirits) – I had a pedicure booked for this week (the appointment was made before the current lockdown was announced), but got a message telling me that it would have to turn into a “medical” procedure to be legal.

There would be no varnish (and it would be more expensive)… but isn’t that just a business being “creative” to survive? What about a massage with the curtains drawn?