UK at 'dangerous' stage, no lockdown exit strategy in sight

By Estelle Shirbon and Kylie MacLellan

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson applauds outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our carers campaign in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, London, Britain, March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's government resisted pressure on Sunday to explain how it plans to ease a coronavirus lockdown that has been in place for a month, warning that hasty action could result in a second peak of infections.

 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will return to full-time work on Monday three weeks after he was taken to hospital with a bad case of COVID-19, will face immediate calls to offer more clarity on what happens next.

 

In his last day standing in for Johnson, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it would not be responsible to speculate about the details of how the lockdown would be relaxed as that risked diluting the message that people should stay at home.

 

"We are at a delicate and dangerous stage and we need to make sure that the next steps are sure-footed," Raab said on Sky News.

 

The official number of deaths related to COVID-19 in hospitals across the United Kingdom rose to 20,732, up by 413 in 24 hours, while confirmed cases stood at 152,840, up by 4,463 on the previous day, the latest figures showed.

 

More comprehensive but lagging figures that include deaths in the community, such as in nursing homes, suggest the overall toll is likely to be significantly higher than the hospital number.

 

"We are proceeding very cautiously and we are sticking to the medical advice, the scientific advice, with the social distancing measures, at this time, while doing all the homework to make sure that we're prepared in due course for the next phase," said Raab.

 

Repeatedly pressed for details, he would say only that there would not be a "binary easing of measures" but rather a gradual progression to a "new normal".

 

'NOT CREDIBLE'

Later, at the government's televised daily briefing, farming and environment minister George Eustice said the lockdown rules would next be reviewed "in a couple of weeks" in light of the medical evidence available by then.

 

Stephen Powis, medical director of the National Health Service in England, said during the briefing there was now a "very definite" downward trend in the number of people in hospital with COVID-19.

 

"That is definitely showing that our compliance with social distancing is proving to be beneficial, it is reducing the transmission and spread of the virus," he said.

 

Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer argued in an open letter to Johnson that the British government was falling behind the rest of the world by refusing to say more about the next steps, and it should treat the public like adults.

 

"Simply acting as if this discussion is not happening is not credible," Starmer wrote in the letter, which he tweeted on Sunday.

 

He said the government had been too slow to impose the lockdown, to increase the uptake of testing and to get personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospital and care home staff.

 

"We need to see a significant step-change in the government's response to this pandemic. Decisions need to be taken quicker and communication with the public needs to be clearer," he said.

 

A barrage of dire economic news has added to pressure on the government.

 

Businesses have reported an historic collapse in demand, retail sales have plunged by the most on record, government debt is surging, and a Bank of England interest rate-setter warning that the economic contraction could be the worst in centuries.

 

FOOD FLOWS

Eustice, the farming minister, said international trade flows of food were not suffering major disruption apart from isolated cases such as imports of certain products from India.

 

But he estimated that only about a third of the migrant labour that would normally come to Britain to harvest fruit and vegetables over the late spring and summer was in the country, having arrived before the lockdown.

 

"We are working with industry to identify an approach that will encourage those millions of furloughed workers in some cases to consider taking a second job helping get the harvest in," said Eustice.

 

Earlier, Raab was forced to defend the government's performance on the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to health and care workers, and on the number of coronavirus tests being carried out nationally.

 

The government has set itself a target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April, though fewer than 29,000 tests were carried out last Friday.

Raab said capacity now stood at 51,000 a day and he expected a surge in tests being carried out in the coming week.

 

On PPE, he said: "We're doing everything we can in an international supply shortage to get them (health and care workers) the PPE, the equipment that they need, but it hasn't been easy, we hold our hands up. It hasn't been easy for any country."

 

Doctors, nurses and care home workers have complained of shortages of gowns and, in some cases, of inadequate equipment and unclear guidance on when and how to use it.

 

The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors, said health and care staff should be given priority to receive any PPE available, but also urged the government to ask the public to wear masks when leaving their homes. So far ministers have declined to do so, citing insufficient evidence.

 

(Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Philippa Fletcher)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-04-27

 

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2 hours ago, webfact said:

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it would not be responsible to speculate about the details of how the lockdown would be relaxed as that risked diluting the message that people should stay at home.

BS, you have no idea on how to relax the lockdown. I’d have more respect for you if you’d admit that and just say you’re working on it. 

Edited April 27, 20206 yr by Bluespunk
Typo

The Scottish government has produced a roadmap towards lifting the lockdown.

It is Westminster which has failed to do so.

3 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

The Scottish government has produced a roadmap towards lifting the lockdown.

It is Westminster which has failed to do so.

 

Yes, Leader Sturgeon even told all her citizens not to drink disinfectant or bleach. Shows how highly she regards their intelligence. Sqwark, Sqwark polly-parrot.

 

As the devolved governance of Scotland includes the responsibility for health, including the Scottish lock down, it's her job to.

So does this mean they are past the complete and utter bungle stage,and now into the dangerous stage?

53 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Yes, Leader Sturgeon even told all her citizens not to drink disinfectant or bleach. Shows how highly she regards their intelligence. Sqwark, Sqwark polly-parrot.

 

As the devolved governance of Scotland includes the responsibility for health, including the Scottish lock down, it's her job to.

She has to tell some people in Scotland not to drink bleach because Scotland has a few idiots in it.

These are the same people who think Brexit is a good idea.

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Yes, Leader Sturgeon even told all her citizens not to drink disinfectant or bleach. Shows how highly she regards their intelligence. Sqwark, Sqwark polly-parrot.

 

As the devolved governance of Scotland includes the responsibility for health, including the Scottish lock down, it's her job to.

If England fails to get its house in order, I hope she will seriously consider road blocks at the border. Whilst we have nothing but total empathy and fraternal support for our neighbouring countries, if their leadership continues to show such contempt for their people and ineptitude in office, we cannot allow that to threaten an orderly, structured easing of restrictions in Scotland. 

I read that Boris went into hospital suffering from the virus but in the header photo I see he's got the clap.

I remain of the opinion that it (virus in UK) will be 'gone with the bluebells' and that normality will resume thereafter. Any hype re doing it too quickly will go the same way as the millennium bug.

 

Just my 2p ????

Edited April 27, 20206 yr by evadgib

Isolation in a council flat is far different than isolation at chequers with a fortnum hamper Boris something that will become evident very soon i suspect????

7 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

The Scottish government has produced a roadmap towards lifting the lockdown.

It is Westminster which has failed to do so.

I just read her quotes, possible, likely and might...........

 

No confusion there then.

The problem will be with any country - people are stupid. Just like when a boarding call for the back rows to board an aircraft - everyone will jump up to get on. 

2 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

If England fails to get its house in order, I hope she will seriously consider road blocks at the border. Whilst we have nothing but total empathy and fraternal support for our neighbouring countries, if their leadership continues to show such contempt for their people and ineptitude in office, we cannot allow that to threaten an orderly, structured easing of restrictions in Scotland. 

also stop the flow of money north as well, with a bit of luck

15 minutes ago, steve187 said:

also stop the flow of money north as well, with a bit of luck

It sounds like we are possibly aligned in our thinking, but you forgot step 1: stop the flow of cash south in the first case. 

Interesting that the "ministers" do not wear face  masks because of "citing insufficient evidence.

If that is an example of "stupid British stubbornness" God help the the UK.

Very bad example set & will set them back months

Wait:  

In only a few days UK will be No. ONE in Europe! Empire is back. 

Not only Thailand got it's hub. 

Now even UK. Highest number of corona cases and highest number of corona victims passing away. I reckon it will take not even one week. 

My thank you is going to BoJo the gambler, clown and dumbest of all PMs so far. He's a real buddy of Donald in every aspect. 

Poor UK ????

They are talking about June and Schools in England closed till September.

 

5 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Wait:  

In only a few days UK will be No. ONE in Europe! Empire is back. 

Not only Thailand got it's hub. 

Now even UK. Highest number of corona cases and highest number of corona victims passing away. I reckon it will take not even one week. 

My thank you is going to BoJo the gambler, clown and dumbest of all PMs so far. He's a real buddy of Donald in every aspect. 

Poor UK ????

I would check some of your facts about Highest Deaths and Corona infections. Maybe Britain is honest with its infection figures, Unlike some Countrys who dont even collate the information.

21 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Wait:  

In only a few days UK will be No. ONE in Europe! Empire is back. 

Not only Thailand got it's hub. 

Now even UK. Highest number of corona cases and highest number of corona victims passing away. I reckon it will take not even one week. 

My thank you is going to BoJo the gambler, clown and dumbest of all PMs so far. He's a real buddy of Donald in every aspect. 

Poor UK ????

That's Boris sorted. How many marks out of ten do you give your bloke & can the rest of us join in?

Edited April 27, 20206 yr by evadgib

7 minutes ago, evadgib said:

That's Boris sorted. How many marks out of ten do you give your bloke & can the rest of us join in?

Who is his bloke this week anyway?

36 minutes ago, Thongkorn said:

Unlike some Countrys

Which one? Give some proof! 

57 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Wait:  

In only a few days UK will be No. ONE in Europe! Empire is back. 

Not only Thailand got it's hub. 

Now even UK. Highest number of corona cases and highest number of corona victims passing away. I reckon it will take not even one week. 

My thank you is going to BoJo the gambler, clown and dumbest of all PMs so far. He's a real buddy of Donald in every aspect. 

Poor UK ????

You are Thanking Boris Johnson for many Corvid deaths in the UK 

Thats rather unpleasant , reveling in peoples deaths 

Is that the green of Ireland in your avatar ?

10 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

The Scottish government has produced a roadmap towards lifting the lockdown.

It is Westminster which has failed to do so.

So have many nations, what a state to get in when you put everything on hold awaiting the return of a clown !! 

52 minutes ago, sanemax said:

You are Thanking Boris Johnson for many Corvid deaths in the UK 

Thats rather unpleasant , reveling in peoples deaths 

Is that the green of Ireland in your avatar ?

Sarcasm, my dear, Sarcasm.. 

Anyway he's not able to manage the crisis nor manage the country. 

Holidays have been more important for him and his lover. 

I would be ashamed to have such a PM. 

1 minute ago, sawadee1947 said:

Sarcasm, my dear, Sarcasm.. 

Anyway he's not able to manage the crisis nor manage the country. 

Holidays have been more important for him and his lover. 

I would be ashamed to have such a PM. 

Approval Rises for World Leaders Amid Pandemic

Boris Johnson’s approval soars, up nearly 30 points in 10 days

https://morningconsult.com/form/approval-rises-for-world-leaders-amid-pandemic/

12 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Sarcasm, my dear, Sarcasm.. 

Anyway he's not able to manage the crisis nor manage the country. 

Holidays have been more important for him and his lover. 

I would be ashamed to have such a PM. 

He was ill in hospital with the deadly virus , thats hardly a holiday 

1 hour ago, Bruntoid said:

So have many nations, what a state to get in when you put everything on hold awaiting the return of a clown !! 

What did you post that lie about Captain Toms Daughter yesterday ?

7 hours ago, marko kok prong said:

So does this mean they are past the complete and utter bungle stage,and now into the dangerous stage?

 

 Quite so ,   Boris has lost his bounce ..

 

 

Edited April 27, 20206 yr by elliss

33 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Sarcasm, my dear, Sarcasm.. 

Anyway he's not able to manage the crisis nor manage the country. 

Holidays have been more important for him and his lover. 

I would be ashamed to have such a PM. 

 

 That said , it could have been a lot worse .

    It could  have been Corbyn , as PM , his lover included,

      @ taxpayers exspense ..

 

Edited April 27, 20206 yr by elliss

This means that the UK government or rather Dominic Cummings,  does not have a cue how to do it.