THE UK’s lockdown is set to be extended beyond May 7 Boris Johnson will announce today at No 10’s press briefing today.
Holding the first press briefing today, Mr Johnson will warn the public only modest relaxation of the lockdown measures will be carried out next week. The Government is increasingly fearful of a second wave of the coronavirus and is keen to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. Mr Johnson is expected to reveal his thought process on social distancing restrictions and will also hail the work of the NHS today.
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Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, one Whitehall source said it was still too early to even consider lifting social distancing measures.
The source said: “‘It will very much be in the area of how we satisfy our five tests for coming out of lockdown, chief among which is making sure we don’t risk another exponential rise in infections.
‘It’s still too early to be setting out any details of what any easing of the lockdown might look like.”
The news comes as the Government revealed the UK now had the second-highest death total in Europe.
Mr Johnson will chair a COBRA meeting today where he will discuss the Government’s plans today.
Although they will review the current coronavirus pandemic, ministers favour a cautious approach to lifting restrictions.
At the briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab used Germany as an example not to ease restrictions too quickly.
Germany has contained the virus well but there had been a slight increase in the transmission rate after it eased certain lockdown restrictions.
He said: “Chancellor Merkel has made it clear that they might need a second lockdown in Germany if the infection rate continues to rise.
“So this is a very real risk, and its vital we proceed carefully.
“We mustnt gamble away the sacrifices and the progress that weve made.”
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READ MORE FROM SOURCE: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1275854/Uk-lockdown-end-date-may-7-june-covid-19-latest-news