Boris Johnson signals cautious approach to easing coronavirus lockdown
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signalled he will take a cautious approach to easing the coronavirus lockdown measures amid fears of a second deadly wave of infections.
The prime minister is "very concerned" about another peak in Covid-19 cases if restrictions are relaxed too rapidly, a Downing Street source told the PA news agency.
Mr Johnson’s fears emerged as the government came under further pressure to detail plans to exit from the strict measures, which Number 10 suggested could happen gradually.
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It comes as Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford warned that Wales could act independently from the rest of the UK if there is not a consensus at the next three-week review.
While his Scottish counterpart, Nicola Sturgeon, stressed that she would not "rush" into moves which could lead to a second wave of coronavirus cases.
But there seemed to be some unity across the political spectrum on not acting too hastily, with a Number 10 source telling PA the PM is "very concerned about a second peak if we lift the restrictions too soon."
Mr Johnson is currently not doing government work at his Chequers country retreat while recovering from his time in intensive care with the virus, according to his official spokesman.
The prime minister has, however, spoken to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab - who continues to deputise for Mr Johnson - and senior members of his Downing Street team while receiving updates on the coronavirus response.
"The big concern is a second peak," the spokesman said.
"That is what ultimately will do the most damage to health and the most damage to the economy."
The spokesman suggested that lockdown restrictions could be modified rather than lifted entirely, adding: "If you move too quickly, lifting the social distancing measures wholesale, then that could lead to the virus spreading exponentially again."
The Chancellor has admitted the coronavirus outbreak is having a "significant" impact on the UK economy.
Rishi Sunak has conceded the government "can't protect every business and every household" and warned "these are tough times and there will be more to come".
Leaders of the devolved governments have voiced their opinions too.
At the daily Welsh government press conference, Mark Drakeford said he believes a UK-wide agreement would be ideal when the lockdown is scheduled to be reviewed by May 7.
But the Labour politician added: "If we can't secure it and we need to make decisions for ourselves, that is, of course, what we will do."
Scottish National Party leader Ms Sturgeon said she would outline the key factors to guide the process by the end of the week.
"We are simply not yet in position to take those decisions in a properly informed way and I will not rush to do anything that could risk a resurgence of this virus, because to do that would risk overwhelming the National Health Service and it would put many more lives at risk," she added.
Leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, continues to press the government on forming a strategy to eventually ease the lockdown measures.
He was among the opposition leaders to receive a "constructive" telephone briefing from Mr Raab, according to the Labour leader's spokesman.
"Keir Starmer reiterated his support for the Government's decision to extend the lockdown, but asked what planning was being put in place for when the restrictions are lifted," the spokesman added.
Sir Keir was also said to have pressed Mr Raab on the shortage of protective personal equipment for key workers and whether the government would hit its target of 100,000 coronavirus tests by the end of April.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and Liberal Democrat acting co-leader Sir Ed Davey were also understood to have been briefed during the call.
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