UK lockdown will not end any time soon, says government

A government health minister has said that the UK coronavirus lockdown will not end any time soon, as “we’re not there yet.”

Health minister Edward Argar told Sky News, “We will be led by the scientific evidence of when is the right moment for the changes to be made.

“At the moment that is not the right moment.”

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the nation that people can only leave their home, to buy essentials, go to work it they cannot work from home and to have one hour of exercise a day.

Dominic Raab who is deputising for Boris Johnson whilst he remains in intensive care told the nation on Tuesday that they will not consider easing the lockdown until we are have passed the peak, which could be “responsibly done.”

Argar told Sky News, “As the chief scientific adviser said there are some positive signs in terms of the rate of growth of the virus slowing.

“But we don’t know, the evidence isn’t there yet as to whether we’ve reached the peak.

“The message this weekend, this week, is hugely important. It’s keep staying at home, keep protecting our NHS.

“By doing that, we will save lives.

“Now is not the time to let up, now is the time to double down, keep following that advice and sticking with it.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the UK is “nowhere near lifting the lockdown.

“We think the peak which is the worst part of the virus, is still probably a week-and-a-half away.”

Khan told Sky News that fourteen transport workers have now died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Nine bus drivers have died, and three Transport for London (TfL) workers, a worker who was a supplier for TfL and an Underground employee.

Kay Burley erupted at Khan’s inability to protect transport workers during the pandemic, and engaged in a tense row.

Khan was asked why he cannot guarantee the safety of the staff during the outbreak across London.

Burley asked, “Why are your workers dying?”