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Coronavirus lockdown: UK 'should not expect big changes' Coronavirus lockdown: UK 'should not expect big changes'
(about 2 hours later)
People should not expect big changes to the coronavirus lockdown in Boris Johnson's speech to the nation on Sunday, a cabinet minister has said.People should not expect big changes to the coronavirus lockdown in Boris Johnson's speech to the nation on Sunday, a cabinet minister has said.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Breakfast the speech would set out a "cautious" road map for the UK, rather than immediate alterations.Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Breakfast the speech would set out a "cautious" road map for the UK, rather than immediate alterations.
It comes amid concerns of mixed messaging across the four UK nations.It comes amid concerns of mixed messaging across the four UK nations.
Meanwhile, the PM said the virus "demands the same spirit of national endeavour" seen on VE day 75 years ago.Meanwhile, the PM said the virus "demands the same spirit of national endeavour" seen on VE day 75 years ago.
Mr Dowden said Mr Johnson's speech would cautiously begin to look to the future, with limited amendments to restrictions to begin with. Mr Dowden said Mr Johnson's speech, at 19:00 BST on Sunday, would cautiously begin to look to the future, with limited amendments to restrictions to begin with.
"On Sunday, what the prime minister will do is set out the road map ahead," he said."On Sunday, what the prime minister will do is set out the road map ahead," he said.
"So we can start to look to the future, but we'll have to do so in a very tentative and cautious way. People should not expect big changes from the prime minister on Sunday."So we can start to look to the future, but we'll have to do so in a very tentative and cautious way. People should not expect big changes from the prime minister on Sunday.
"But what they should expect, and this is what people have been asking for some time, tell us where we're going. Give us a road map ahead. And that is what the prime minister will do.""But what they should expect, and this is what people have been asking for some time, tell us where we're going. Give us a road map ahead. And that is what the prime minister will do."
He added: "The worst thing that could happen is that after the huge effort we've all put in… we don't want to have a second peak that overwhelms the NHS."He added: "The worst thing that could happen is that after the huge effort we've all put in… we don't want to have a second peak that overwhelms the NHS."
It comes after the Welsh and Scottish governments accused No 10 of sending "mixed messages" about the lockdown. The total number of people who have died with coronavirus in hospitals, care homes and the wider community in the UK is 30,615 - a daily increase of 539, the latest figures show.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to make their own decisions on lockdown regulations. Newspapers reported UK government sources saying some lockdown measures will be lifted as early as Monday and the BBC's political editor Laura Kuennsberg reported the "stay at home" slogan is on the way out.
Wales is due to announce its lockdown plans later on Friday. Scotland's lockdown has already been formally extended and the Northern Ireland Executive said there was "no headroom" yet to ease the lockdown. Mr Johnson had also said in the Commons on Wednesday he wanted to possibly "get going" with some measures to ease lockdown on Monday.
People should continue obeying the coronavirus lockdown this bank holiday weekend, ministers have said, despite sunny weather forecast in some areas. But BBC Newsnight's political editor Nicholas Watt said the government "had a wobble" after Mr Johnson "gave the impression to some people that more significant changes were on the way".
Temperatures are expected to reach 24C (75F) across parts of the UK on the early May Bank Holiday on Friday, which was moved to coincide with VE Day. And the Welsh and Scottish governments suggested No 10 had sent "mixed messages" about the lockdown.
Some police forces have already told people to avoid beauty spots and warned there will be officers on patrol. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to make their own decisions on lockdown regulations:
The prime minister's official spokesman also said the lockdown rules were still in force.
'Need a clear message'
The repeated instruction to stay at home comes after widespread reports in newspapers earlier this week speculated about which lockdown measures could be lifted when Mr Johnson makes his speech on Sunday.
Some newspapers suggested the rules on exercise could be relaxed and more people encouraged to return to work.
BBC Newsnight's political editor Nicholas Watt said the government "had a wobble" after Mr Johnson "gave the impression to some people that more significant changes were on the way".
Mr Johnson had said in the Commons on Wednesday he wanted to possibly "get going" with some measures to ease lockdown on Monday.
The Welsh government criticised the media reports, saying they risked sending "mixed messages" to the public.
'Care home epidemic'
John Edmunds, professor of infectious disease modelling at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said latest estimates of the virus' reproduction value - known as the R number - is currently between 0.75 and one. UK public health bodies want the R number to stay below one.
Prof Edmunds told MPs he believed the R number had risen in the past two weeks, despite the lockdown. Office for National Statistics chief Sir Ian Diamond Thursday's No 10 briefing that assessment was driven by spread in care homes.
"That gives us a real challenge to reduce the epidemic in care homes and it's one that I think - over the next few weeks from what I see happening - will happen," Sir Ian said.
No 10 has said Mr Johnson is in favour of a UK-wide approach, even if different parts begin to move at slightly different speeds based on the evidence for each nation.No 10 has said Mr Johnson is in favour of a UK-wide approach, even if different parts begin to move at slightly different speeds based on the evidence for each nation.
Mr Johnson will speak to the nation about the lockdown at 19:00 BST on Sunday. Care homes 'epidemic'
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford is set to announce his own plans during a press conference at 12:30 on Friday. John Edmunds, professor of infectious disease modelling at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told MPs he believed the virus' reproduction value - known as the R number - had risen in the past two weeks, despite the lockdown.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - who has extended the lockdown in Scotland - said she would not be "pressured" by Westminster into "prematurely" easing restrictions there. He said latest estimates put it currently between 0.75 and one - UK public health bodies want the R number to stay below one.
According to the latest figures, the total number of people who have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community in the UK with coronavirus is 30,615 - a daily increase of 539. Office for National Statistics chief Sir Ian Diamond Thursday's No 10 briefing the assessment that the number had risen was driven by the spread in care homes.
The government missed its 100,000-per-day testing target for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday, providing 86,583 tests. It initially met the target at the end of April. "That gives us a real challenge to reduce the epidemic in care homes and it's one that I think - over the next few weeks from what I see happening - will happen," Sir Ian said.
In other developments:In other developments:
How have you been affected by coronavirus? Are you among those shielded or being tested? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How have you been affected by coronavirus? Are you among those shielded or being tested? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
Or please use the form below:Or please use the form below: