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Coronavirus: Government prepared to 'do what it takes' | Coronavirus: Government prepared to 'do what it takes' |
(32 minutes later) | |
The health secretary says the government is prepared to "do what it takes" to tackle the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. | The health secretary says the government is prepared to "do what it takes" to tackle the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. |
Emergency legislation that would grant powers aimed at tackling the issue will be debated by MPs later. | Emergency legislation that would grant powers aimed at tackling the issue will be debated by MPs later. |
Matt Hancock said it was "unfair" that people appeared to be continuing to socialise despite warnings. | Matt Hancock said it was "unfair" that people appeared to be continuing to socialise despite warnings. |
Over the weekend, photos emerged showing crowds of people visiting open spaces across many parts of the UK. | Over the weekend, photos emerged showing crowds of people visiting open spaces across many parts of the UK. |
Under the proposals to be discussed by MPs, airports could shut and police would be able to force people with virus symptoms to isolate. | Under the proposals to be discussed by MPs, airports could shut and police would be able to force people with virus symptoms to isolate. |
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Hancock said: "We've seen with this virus it spreads so easily. | Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Hancock said: "We've seen with this virus it spreads so easily. |
"In other countries in Europe where they didn't take these crackdowns quite so early, it's got very serious. | "In other countries in Europe where they didn't take these crackdowns quite so early, it's got very serious. |
"So of course we're prepared to do what it takes." | "So of course we're prepared to do what it takes." |
The health secretary said the government advice on social distancing was "really clear" and people should stay two metres apart and stay at home if at all possible. | The health secretary said the government advice on social distancing was "really clear" and people should stay two metres apart and stay at home if at all possible. |
"We've taken some quite serious actions that have never been seen in peacetime before, like shutting the pubs, bars and restaurants and the police have the power to enforce that now. | "We've taken some quite serious actions that have never been seen in peacetime before, like shutting the pubs, bars and restaurants and the police have the power to enforce that now. |
"We of course stand ready to take more action if we need to to stop the spread of the virus." | "We of course stand ready to take more action if we need to to stop the spread of the virus." |
According to the latest figures, the UK's death toll has reached 281 - including a person aged 18 with an underlying health condition. There are now 5,683 confirmed cases. | According to the latest figures, the UK's death toll has reached 281 - including a person aged 18 with an underlying health condition. There are now 5,683 confirmed cases. |
The government's emergency legislation - set out last week - includes enabling recently retired NHS staff to return to work without any negative impact on their pensions, fast-tracking funeral arrangements, and allowing more court hearings to take place by phone or video. | The government's emergency legislation - set out last week - includes enabling recently retired NHS staff to return to work without any negative impact on their pensions, fast-tracking funeral arrangements, and allowing more court hearings to take place by phone or video. |
Most controversially, the bill gives unprecedented powers to law enforcement agencies to detain people if they show symptoms of the virus and put them in appropriate isolation facilities if necessary. | Most controversially, the bill gives unprecedented powers to law enforcement agencies to detain people if they show symptoms of the virus and put them in appropriate isolation facilities if necessary. |
The powers, which would be time-limited for two years, are expected to be approved by MPs. | The powers, which would be time-limited for two years, are expected to be approved by MPs. |
Mr Hancock said he doesn't know why some people appear to be ignoring the government's advice on social distancing. | |
"These measures have already had a massive effect on this country and it's not the sort of thing anybody would've wanted to see," he said. | |
"The quicker we can stop the spread, the quicker we can get out of this. | |
"So it really is incredibly unfair of people to go and socialise in the way we've seen, because by helping to spread the virus they slow down our ability to stop it." | |
Speaking on Sunday at Downing Street's daily news conference, Mr Johnson said everyone had to act "responsibly" and practise social distancing. | |
"If we can't do that then, yup, I'm afraid we're going to have to bring forward tougher measures." | "If we can't do that then, yup, I'm afraid we're going to have to bring forward tougher measures." |
And on Sunday evening, the government issued a further statement, clarifying its advice that "people should avoid travelling unless it is essential". | And on Sunday evening, the government issued a further statement, clarifying its advice that "people should avoid travelling unless it is essential". |
Essential travel, the Department for Health and Social Care said, "does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays". | Essential travel, the Department for Health and Social Care said, "does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays". |
The increase of 48 UK virus deaths since Saturday includes 37 in England, seven in Wales, three in Scotland and another in Northern Ireland. | The increase of 48 UK virus deaths since Saturday includes 37 in England, seven in Wales, three in Scotland and another in Northern Ireland. |
The NHS said all those who died in England in the past day were in vulnerable groups including with underlying health issues. | The NHS said all those who died in England in the past day were in vulnerable groups including with underlying health issues. |
In other developments, the NHS in England announced it had identified 1.5 million of the most at-risk people who should now stay at home for 12 weeks. | In other developments, the NHS in England announced it had identified 1.5 million of the most at-risk people who should now stay at home for 12 weeks. |
Those at-risk people include those with specific cancers, severe respiratory conditions and people who have received organ transplants. | Those at-risk people include those with specific cancers, severe respiratory conditions and people who have received organ transplants. |
The government is setting up "hubs" around the country to arrange deliveries of groceries and medicines to them. | The government is setting up "hubs" around the country to arrange deliveries of groceries and medicines to them. |
Councils, pharmacists and members of the Armed Forces will help this work and there will be opportunities for members of the public to volunteer. | Councils, pharmacists and members of the Armed Forces will help this work and there will be opportunities for members of the public to volunteer. |
The PM told those people to "shield" themselves, adding it "will do more than any other single measure that we are setting out to save life". | The PM told those people to "shield" themselves, adding it "will do more than any other single measure that we are setting out to save life". |
In other key developments: | In other key developments: |