Britain is extending its coronavirus lockdown measures by at least another three weeks, Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said Thursday.
The government's decision to prolong its shelter-in-place restrictions followed a meeting with scientists earlier in the day. Raab, who is deputizing for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said the rate of Covid-19 infections has not fallen enough to justify lifting the shutdown.
"Any change to our social-distancing measures now would risk a significant increase in the spread of the virus," Raab said at the government's daily press conference. "That would threaten a second peak of the virus and substantially increase the number of deaths." Restrictions on public life have been in place in the U.K. since March 23. People have been told to stay at home, with the exception of limited shopping — for essential food and medical supplies — and exercise.
Raab outlined five things the government wanted to see before looking to adjust the lockdown measures currently in place. They are as follows:Evidence of a sustained and consistent fall in daily deaths from the virus.Testing and personal protective equipment in hand.The Office for Budget Responsibilityearlier in the week that the shutdown could cause U.K. gross domestic product to shrink by 35% in the April to June period.
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