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| Coronavirus: Ministers to discuss UK lockdown review | Coronavirus: Ministers to discuss UK lockdown review |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Ministers will discuss a review of the UK's coronavirus lockdown later to consider whether restrictions on people's movements should be extended. | Ministers will discuss a review of the UK's coronavirus lockdown later to consider whether restrictions on people's movements should be extended. |
| The government's emergency Cobra committee will look at evidence from scientists on the impact of measures brought in on 23 March - although a formal decision is not expected. | The government's emergency Cobra committee will look at evidence from scientists on the impact of measures brought in on 23 March - although a formal decision is not expected. |
| It comes as Boris Johnson spent a third night in intensive care with the virus. | It comes as Boris Johnson spent a third night in intensive care with the virus. |
| Meanwhile, the public is being urged to stay at home over the Easter weekend. | Meanwhile, the public is being urged to stay at home over the Easter weekend. |
| Warm weather is forecast with temperatures set to reach 25C (77F) in some parts of the country, according to the Met Office. | Warm weather is forecast with temperatures set to reach 25C (77F) in some parts of the country, according to the Met Office. |
| The Times reports that political leaders across the UK are preparing to unite to deliver a "stay at home this Easter" campaign - and government adverts carrying the message appear in several newspapers on Thursday. | The Times reports that political leaders across the UK are preparing to unite to deliver a "stay at home this Easter" campaign - and government adverts carrying the message appear in several newspapers on Thursday. |
| It comes as the UK recorded its highest daily rise in the number of patients dying with coronavirus, with 938 deaths recorded in UK hospitals in the 24 hours up to 17:00 BST on Tuesday. The total number of UK deaths now stands at 7,097. | It comes as the UK recorded its highest daily rise in the number of patients dying with coronavirus, with 938 deaths recorded in UK hospitals in the 24 hours up to 17:00 BST on Tuesday. The total number of UK deaths now stands at 7,097. |
| 'Zero prospect' of lockdown lifting | 'Zero prospect' of lockdown lifting |
| Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is acting on behalf of Mr Johnson as he continues treatment for the virus, will chair the virtual Cobra meeting, which will also include leaders of the devolved nations. | Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is acting on behalf of Mr Johnson as he continues treatment for the virus, will chair the virtual Cobra meeting, which will also include leaders of the devolved nations. |
| In Wales, it has already been confirmed that lockdown measures will stay in place beyond next week, raising expectations this will be the case across the UK. | In Wales, it has already been confirmed that lockdown measures will stay in place beyond next week, raising expectations this will be the case across the UK. |
| Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething - who will take part in the Cobra meeting - said there was "virtually zero prospect" of government experts advising that it was safe to lift the lockdown, adding the measures would continue for "a number of weeks". | Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething - who will take part in the Cobra meeting - said there was "virtually zero prospect" of government experts advising that it was safe to lift the lockdown, adding the measures would continue for "a number of weeks". |
| He told BBC Breakfast it was important to be "straight with the public", saying that "if we don't provide a clear message to the public" then people who have been following the government's lockdown measures might be tempted to flout them over the bank holiday weekend - because they were under the impression they might be lifted on Monday anyway. | |
| Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Breakfast said it was unlikely the measures will change now, as "we're just beginning to see this strategy starting to work". | Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Breakfast said it was unlikely the measures will change now, as "we're just beginning to see this strategy starting to work". |
| "The Welsh government announced their decision yesterday, we will announce the outcome of considering these measures next week but the measures are in place in England just as they are in Wales," he said. | "The Welsh government announced their decision yesterday, we will announce the outcome of considering these measures next week but the measures are in place in England just as they are in Wales," he said. |
| "I don't think it's very likely these measures are going to be changed given they're just starting to have an effect but, as we said, we would review them. It's only prudent that on an ongoing basis we review them after three weeks." | "I don't think it's very likely these measures are going to be changed given they're just starting to have an effect but, as we said, we would review them. It's only prudent that on an ongoing basis we review them after three weeks." |
| According to new coronavirus laws, the health secretary must review the restrictions at least once every 21 days. The law states the first review must take place by 16 April. | According to new coronavirus laws, the health secretary must review the restrictions at least once every 21 days. The law states the first review must take place by 16 April. |
| Labour leader Keir Starmer called on the government to publish its exit strategy for ending the lockdown. | |
| "I'm not calling for precise timings, but the strategy," he tweeted. "This is incredibly difficult on people and we need to know that plans are in place, and what they are." | |
| Mr Dowden also said there had been no change in Mr Johnson's condition - "he's stable, improving, sat up and engaged with medical staff". | Mr Dowden also said there had been no change in Mr Johnson's condition - "he's stable, improving, sat up and engaged with medical staff". |
| According to the latest update from Downing Street on Wednesday night, Mr Johnson "continues to make steady progress" but remains in intensive care at St Thomas' Hospital in London. | According to the latest update from Downing Street on Wednesday night, Mr Johnson "continues to make steady progress" but remains in intensive care at St Thomas' Hospital in London. |
| He was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms and admitted to intensive care a day later. | He was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms and admitted to intensive care a day later. |
| Meanwhile, a leading economic think tank says the pandemic will have far-reaching consequences for people's health in the UK because of the impact on the NHS and the likely financial downturn. | Meanwhile, a leading economic think tank says the pandemic will have far-reaching consequences for people's health in the UK because of the impact on the NHS and the likely financial downturn. |
| A briefing note from the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests that wide-scale job losses could deepen inequalities, while the knock-on effects of cancelling non-urgent operations may take years to reverse. | A briefing note from the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests that wide-scale job losses could deepen inequalities, while the knock-on effects of cancelling non-urgent operations may take years to reverse. |
| "The health impacts of the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic will be felt long after the social distancing measures come to an end," said Heidi Karjalainen, one of the authors. | "The health impacts of the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic will be felt long after the social distancing measures come to an end," said Heidi Karjalainen, one of the authors. |
| 'Beginning to see benefits' | 'Beginning to see benefits' |
| Chancellor Rishi Sunak said at the government's daily news conference on Wednesday the review would happen "around" the three-weeks point, which would be based on evidence that will "only be available next week". | Chancellor Rishi Sunak said at the government's daily news conference on Wednesday the review would happen "around" the three-weeks point, which would be based on evidence that will "only be available next week". |
| "I think rather than speculate about the future, I think we should focus very seriously on the here and now and the present," he added. | "I think rather than speculate about the future, I think we should focus very seriously on the here and now and the present," he added. |
| Deputy chief scientific adviser Prof Dame Angela McLean told the news conference new cases were not "accelerating out of control" in the UK. | Deputy chief scientific adviser Prof Dame Angela McLean told the news conference new cases were not "accelerating out of control" in the UK. |
| But NHS England medical director Stephen Powis warned now was not the time to become "complacent". | But NHS England medical director Stephen Powis warned now was not the time to become "complacent". |
| He said: "We are beginning to see the benefits... we have to continue following instructions, we have to continue following social distancing, because if we don't, the virus will start to spread again." | He said: "We are beginning to see the benefits... we have to continue following instructions, we have to continue following social distancing, because if we don't, the virus will start to spread again." |
| Mr Sunak also unveiled a £750m funding package to keep struggling charities afloat during the pandemic. | Mr Sunak also unveiled a £750m funding package to keep struggling charities afloat during the pandemic. |
| The measures, which involve cash grants direct to charities providing key services during the crisis, follow concern that some charities are facing collapse because of enforced shop closures. | The measures, which involve cash grants direct to charities providing key services during the crisis, follow concern that some charities are facing collapse because of enforced shop closures. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| How have you been affected by the issues relating to coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | How have you been affected by the issues relating to coronavirus? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |