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.
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.
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 chief of Northamptonshire Police, Nick Adderley, has said the “three-week grace period is over” and the force will now crack down on people flouting the rules, meaning they could face fines or a criminal record.
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
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.
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 might be under the impression the lockdown measures might be lifted next week anyway and “start to act as if the last few days doesn’t really matter”.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Breakfast 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.
“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.
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.”
Adverts across Thursday’s newspapers urge the public to “stay home this bank holiday weekend”
Families in London keep their distance as they sing ahead of the start of Passover
Mr Dowden also appealed for people to stay at home over the Easter weekend.
Although many people had hoped to see family and friends, “we won’t be able to do any of those things,” he said. “We’ll have to stay at home and the reason why we’re having to stay at home is in order to protect the NHS and save lives.”
And Mr Dowden 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.
He was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms and admitted to intensive care a day later.
Source: BBC
