Lockdown to continue over Easter as we've not reached the peak yet
The UK is ‘not done yet’ with the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, the Foreign Secretary has announced.
During a press briefing from Downing Street, Dominic Raab urged Britons to stay at home during the Easter bank holiday.
He said: ‘As we look forward to the long bank holiday Easter weekend, I know some people are going to start wondering, is it time to ease up on the rules?
‘I have to say thank you for that sacrifice – but we’re not done yet. We must keep going.’
Mr Raab confirmed the quarantine measures will stay in place until the government has ‘evidence that clearly shows we’ve moved beyond the peak’.
He added: ‘It’s been almost three weeks and we’re starting to see the impact of the sacrifices we’ve all made.
‘It’s still too early to lift the measures that we’ve put in place. It’s vital we make the right decisions at the right time.
‘After all the sacrifices so many people have made, let’s not ruin it now. We mustn’t give the coronavirus the second chance to hurt more people.
‘We will only beat this virus for good if we all stay the course.’
Giving an update on the Prime Minister’s condition in hospital, Mr Raab said: ‘He’s still in intensive care but he continues to make positive steps forward and he’s in good spirits.’
Earlier today, Downing Street said the PM’s condition ‘continues to improve’ in intensive care where he has spent three nights being treated for coronavirus.
Mr Johnson had a ‘good night’ in St Thomas’ Hospital in London and thanks the NHS for the ‘brilliant care’ he has received, his official spokesman said.
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He was said to be continuing with ‘standard oxygen treatment’, while it was indicated he has not taken part in any drug trials for Covid-19.
‘The Prime Minister had a good night and continues to improve in intensive care,’ his spokesman said as he gave an update from the hospital. He’s in good spirits.’
When asked about further specifics about Mr Johnson’s condition or treatment, the spokesman said the update includes all the information the PM’s medical team ‘considers to be clinically relevant’.
His spokesman added the weekly ‘claps for carers’ have been providing ‘wonderful, unifying moments’ for the country while it is hoped millions will turn out again at 8pm.
Mr Johnson was last seen in public clapping for NHS workers in Downing Street last Thursday before his admission to hospital three days later.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been deputising for the PM, is expected to take part in tonight’s show of support for health staff.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister thanks the NHS for the brilliant care which it is providing.
‘The claps for carers have provided wonderful, unifying moments for the entire country.
‘I’m sure that tonight we will once again see people in their millions paying tribute to our fantastic dedicated care workers.’
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the first big breakthrough in Mr Johnson’s health on Wednesday, when he said the PM was now ‘sitting up in bed’ and ‘engaging positively’ with medics.
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