Coronavirus: Boris Johnson fears second peak from enjoyable lockdown

Boris Johnson has instructed colleagues his considerations that enjoyable lockdown measures too quickly may result in a second outbreak of coronavirus.

The PM is known to have met his deputy Dominic Raab at Chequers on Friday to debate the disaster.

He’s thought to have instructed Mr Raab and different officers through video that stopping a second peak was his precedence.

It comes after criticism Mr Johnson didn’t chair or attend 5 early conferences in regards to the virus.

Cupboard Workplace Minister Michael Gove confirmed on Sunday that the PM had not been concerned within the so-called COBR conferences – Cupboard Workplace Briefing Rooms – as reported within the Sunday Occasions.

Shadow well being secretary Jonathan Ashworth accused Mr Johnson of being “lacking in motion” in the beginning of the disaster.

However a authorities spokesman stated it was “totally regular and correct” for COBR to be chaired by the related secretary of state quite than the prime minister.

They added Boris Johnson “has been on the helm of the response to this, offering management throughout this vastly difficult interval for the entire nation”.

Tradition Secretary Oliver Dowden additionally defended his boss, saying the PM was “being briefed on an hourly and day by day foundation” and “took a really shut private curiosity” within the virus early on.

The PM is presently staying at Chequers – the nation retreat of the prime minister – whereas he recovers from coronavirus, and isn’t formally again at work but.

In the meantime, authorities sources stated the overview of lockdown measures in three weeks would result in modifications, quite than any widespread easing.

BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith stated the worry in authorities about one other outbreak just isn’t solely of extra deaths, but additionally the affect it might have on the financial system if staff are sick and unable to work.

He additionally stated the idea is the extra affect on companies who have been pressured to stay shut in a second lockdown could be extra profound.

What do I must know in regards to the coronavirus?

Mr Dowden stated the federal government would take acceptable measures to ease the lockdown “primarily based on the proof”.

However he referenced Mr Johnson’s earlier assertion that it may take 12 weeks to “flip the tide” on the virus.

Mr Dowden instructed BBC Radio 4’s As we speak programme: “What’s occurred is sort of in keeping with that.

“However we are going to take the suitable measures primarily based on the details and proof, and that has not modified.”