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| Coronavirus: Government urges 'caution' on lockdown easing | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The PM says the government will proceed with "maximum caution" when considering easing coronavirus restrictions. | |
| Boris Johnson is due to announce the plans for England on Sunday, but ministers have insisted short term changes to measures will be "modest". | |
| At the government's daily briefing, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab described media reports on easing restrictions as "not a reliable guide". | |
| He added that changes may vary between the different nations. | |
| It comes after Scotland's lockdown was formally extended, and the Welsh government described media reports speculating how Mr Johnson might ease lockdown measures as "confusing". | |
| Some newspapers suggested the rules on exercise could be relaxed and more people encouraged to return to work. | Some newspapers suggested the rules on exercise could be relaxed and more people encouraged to return to work. |
| Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to diverge from what the government at Westminster decides on the lockdown - and could lift restrictions at a different rate. | Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to diverge from what the government at Westminster decides on the lockdown - and could lift restrictions at a different rate. |
| The prime minister has told leaders of the devolved nations that he is committed to a UK-wide approach to tackling coronavirus "even if different parts of the UK begin to move at slightly different speeds", Downing Street said. | The prime minister has told leaders of the devolved nations that he is committed to a UK-wide approach to tackling coronavirus "even if different parts of the UK begin to move at slightly different speeds", Downing Street said. |
| "Those decisions will be made based on the science for each nation," a No 10 spokesman added. | "Those decisions will be made based on the science for each nation," a No 10 spokesman added. |
| The latest figures show the total number of people who have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus is 30,615 - a daily increase of 539. | |
| Addressing the possible easing of restrictions at the briefing, Mr Raab said: "Any changes in the short term will be modest, small, incremental and very carefully monitored." | |
| He said that future decisions would be based on the reproduction number - known as the R level - which represents the average number of people to which one infected person will pass the virus. | |
| "If we find in the future the R level goes back up or that people aren't following the rules, we must have the ability then to put back measures in place," he said. | |
| The foreign secretary added that the government was committed to a UK-wide approach to tackling the pandemic, but he said that "different parts may move at slightly different speeds". | |
| Mr Raab also stressed that the existing rules would still apply over the bank holiday weekend and urged people to "continue to follow the guidance". | |
| Facing pressure over media reports suggesting the lockdown would be eased, Mr Raab said that reports were "not a reliable guide" to future policy decisions. | |
| By law, the government must review the restrictions every three weeks, and Thursday marks the latest deadline. | |
| Although the lockdown - first announced on 23 March - will largely stay in place, the "stay at home" message is expected to be scrapped and it is likely more outdoor activities will be permitted. | |
| Mr Johnson told a meeting of his cabinet earlier that the UK government would not do anything that risked a second peak, and would be guided "at every step" by the science and data. | Mr Johnson told a meeting of his cabinet earlier that the UK government would not do anything that risked a second peak, and would be guided "at every step" by the science and data. |
| 'Very risky' | 'Very risky' |
| In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned it could be "catastrophic" to drop the stay at home message as she announced that the nation's lockdown was to be extended. She added that any easing of restrictions would be "very, very risky" at this stage. | In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned it could be "catastrophic" to drop the stay at home message as she announced that the nation's lockdown was to be extended. She added that any easing of restrictions would be "very, very risky" at this stage. |
| However, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government may be prepared to allow people to spend more time outdoors. | However, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government may be prepared to allow people to spend more time outdoors. |
| Scotland has already set out a number of options for lifting the lockdown, but Ms Sturgeon said she would "not be pressurised" into easing measures prematurely. | Scotland has already set out a number of options for lifting the lockdown, but Ms Sturgeon said she would "not be pressurised" into easing measures prematurely. |
| She said her preference would be for all four nations to make changes together at the same pace but "we can decide in an entirely grown-up way if we are at different stages and want to go different ways". | She said her preference would be for all four nations to make changes together at the same pace but "we can decide in an entirely grown-up way if we are at different stages and want to go different ways". |
| Ms Sturgeon added that media reports about the prime minister planning to ease the lockdown had not been discussed with the Scottish government. | Ms Sturgeon added that media reports about the prime minister planning to ease the lockdown had not been discussed with the Scottish government. |
| Why could exercise rules be relaxed? | Why could exercise rules be relaxed? |
| By Lauren Moss, Health Correspondent | By Lauren Moss, Health Correspondent |
| Coronavirus does not discriminate - whether it's indoors or outdoors, or if the weather is hot, cold or humid. As the World Health Organization points out, it can be transmitted in all areas. | Coronavirus does not discriminate - whether it's indoors or outdoors, or if the weather is hot, cold or humid. As the World Health Organization points out, it can be transmitted in all areas. |
| The science indicates that the virus is transmitted through tiny respiratory particles when someone infected coughs or sneezes. | The science indicates that the virus is transmitted through tiny respiratory particles when someone infected coughs or sneezes. |
| Some of these larger droplets fall to the ground, although there's varying evidence of how far they can spread first. | Some of these larger droplets fall to the ground, although there's varying evidence of how far they can spread first. |
| The smaller specks sometimes hover in the air and then land on surfaces where they may remain for several days. We catch the virus when we touch those surfaces and then touch our eyes, mouth or nose. | The smaller specks sometimes hover in the air and then land on surfaces where they may remain for several days. We catch the virus when we touch those surfaces and then touch our eyes, mouth or nose. |
| That's why the message to wash hands thoroughly and regularly hasn't gone away since lockdown - it's still just as important. | That's why the message to wash hands thoroughly and regularly hasn't gone away since lockdown - it's still just as important. |
| But when we are outside we are probably less likely to touch an infected surface and there's more fresh air to dilute any particles. If we are allowed to spend more time outside, it will still be crucial to keep our distance from each other. | But when we are outside we are probably less likely to touch an infected surface and there's more fresh air to dilute any particles. If we are allowed to spend more time outside, it will still be crucial to keep our distance from each other. |
| Meanwhile, a Welsh government spokesman said it was "crucially important" people in Wales were "informed clearly and accurately" about any changes to the current restrictions. | Meanwhile, a Welsh government spokesman said it was "crucially important" people in Wales were "informed clearly and accurately" about any changes to the current restrictions. |
| "Some of the reporting in today's newspapers is confusing and risks sending mixed messages to people across the UK," he added. | "Some of the reporting in today's newspapers is confusing and risks sending mixed messages to people across the UK," he added. |
| The Northern Ireland Executive met on Thursday to discuss how and when to relax lockdown restrictions. First Minister Arlene Foster previously suggested Northern Ireland's restrictions could be lifted at a different pace to the rest of the UK. | The Northern Ireland Executive met on Thursday to discuss how and when to relax lockdown restrictions. First Minister Arlene Foster previously suggested Northern Ireland's restrictions could be lifted at a different pace to the rest of the UK. |
| Any changes to the guidelines next week are expected to be very limited. | Any changes to the guidelines next week are expected to be very limited. |
| But BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the government's "stay at home" message - which it has pushed since the lockdown began - is "on the way out". | But BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the government's "stay at home" message - which it has pushed since the lockdown began - is "on the way out". |
| Public Health England said it was "reviewing all communications materials in anticipation of moving to the next phase of the government campaign". | Public Health England said it was "reviewing all communications materials in anticipation of moving to the next phase of the government campaign". |
| The prime minister has told opposition leaders he will deliver a statement in the House of Commons on the government's next steps on Monday. | The prime minister has told opposition leaders he will deliver a statement in the House of Commons on the government's next steps on Monday. |
| It comes as the UK became the first country in Europe to record more than 30,000 people dying with coronavirus. The UK now has the second-highest number of recorded coronavirus deaths in the world, behind the United States. | It comes as the UK became the first country in Europe to record more than 30,000 people dying with coronavirus. The UK now has the second-highest number of recorded coronavirus deaths in the world, behind the United States. |
| However, ministers have argued it is too early to make full international comparisons. | However, ministers have argued it is too early to make full international comparisons. |
| 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 |