Britain will remain in lockdown for another three weeks as the cabinet debates whether to encourage some people to return to work.
Dominic Raab is expected to extend the UK’s coronavirus lockdown until at least May 7, it has been reported.
The Foreign Secretary showed some cautious optimism as he revealed the latest data suggested the UK was “starting to win this struggle,” three weeks after restrictions were imposed.
But Mr Raab, who is deputising for Boris Johnson while he recovers after falling ill with Covid-19, insisted the virus was not yet past its peak and that it was “far too early” to talk about relaxing the measures.
And according to the Times, Mr Raab will on Thursday tell the nation that the stay-at-home orders will not be lifted for at least another three weeks.
Speaking at Monday’s Downing Street press conference, he praised the public for staying at home over the Easter weekend, and added: “Our plan is working.
“Please stick with it, and we’ll get through this crisis together.”
Details of how the lockdown will eventually be lifted remained unclear, however, with the Government repeatedly refusing to outline its “exit strategy”.
Scientists advising the Government are expected to meet this week to review the latest figures, but Mr Raab insisted it was crucial that “we do not take our eye off the ball” on social distancing.
The World Health Organisation said restrictions should be lifted slowly and not “all at once” to avoid a resurgence of the virus.
