BORIS Johnson today warned Brits against “lockdown impatience” as the country is at the stage of “maximum risk”.
In a rallying cry from outside No.10, the PM warned the nation he would “refuse” to risk a second wave of coronavirus cases by lifting restrictions too soon, as he came back to work for the first time since his own battle with the virus.
The PM hasn’t been seen since he made a video statement to the nation on April 12 after spending a week in hospital fighting off the bug in intensive care.
In an address to the nation on the steps of Downing Street, he said the country was at the “moment of opportunity” where we could begin to “wrestle” the virus to the floor.
However, there would be no changes to the lockdown yet.
He warned that it was also the “moment of maximum risk” and we must tread carefully, after reports of more cars on the roads and some Brits starting to head out.
Tory MPs and donors have been piling pressure to ease some measures to avoid a complete economic collapse.
But the risk of a “second spike” would mean a “new wave of deaths” and an “economic disaster”, he said.
It would mean he would be forced to “slam on the brakes across the country” yet again and “reimpose the restrictions to do long and lasting damage”.
In his first comments to the country in weeks, and to reassure the public he is now back in charge, Boris said:
- Britain is “passing through the peak” of the bug and there are “real signs of progress”
- He thanked Brits for the “sheer grit” they have shown in keeping to strict lockdown measures
- The Government’ will reveal plans for the next phase of the lockdown in the coming days – but nothing is expected to change until after May 7
- And he described his illness as an “invisible mugger” which can creep up on anyone
- The coronavirus crisis was still the biggest challenge of the nation since the Second World War
- But he praised the NHS and its incredible staff, who have managed to cope well with the virus so far and now run out of equipment or beds
“I refuse to throw away all the effort and sacrifice of the British people, and risk a major outbreak and massive loss of life and the overwhelming of the NHS,” he said today, quashing rumours that he could be about to ease some restrictions as early as this week.
“Now is not the time to go easy on those social distancing measures.
“I ask you to contain your impatience because I believe we are coming now to the end of the first phase of this conflict.”
The PM said he would lay out plans to move to the next phase of the lockdown in the “coming days”, but warned Brits not to expect an exact date.
“We simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow or even when those changes will be made,” he stressed.
“These decisions will be taken with the maximum transparency.
“We will be relying as ever on science.
“Across party lines, bringing in opposition parties as far as we possibly can.”
He suggested that things could move very slowly, saying measures may be changed “one by one to fire up the engines of this vast UK economy”.
And he called out Captain Tom Moore, who turned 100 this week, calling on the country to show the same “spirit and optimism” he has shown through his incredible fundraising.
“We will beat it together and come through it all the faster and the UK will emerge stronger than ever before,” he promised.
The pound rallied on the PM’s return this morning, to a weekly high.
Despite reports that Boris was keen to ease some lockdown measures, the PM suggested today that they will stay in place until May 7, when they are due to be reviewed.
Ministers have suggested some rules could be relaxed, but others may be tightened, during the next stage.
Meanwhile, other European countries have begun opening up their economies again, and easing some rules.
Britain will be watching carefully to see how they do and learn any lessons from them, ministers said last week.
MPs from across the political spectrum welcomed the PM’s return to work today
Trade Secretary Liz Truss tweeted: “Great to have you back PM.”
Andrea Leadsom added: “Welcome back Boris!”
Maria Caulfield MP said: “Great to see the boss is back and looking so well. He is right to urge caution about ending lockdown too soon.
“A second spike is the danger if we ease restrictions too soon #BORISISBACK.”
Boris said he would seek to work across the political divide on easing the lockdown, as that was “what the public would expect”.
He stressed that he would try and be open and transparent with the public about what the next steps are now.
“I want to share all our working and thinking with you the British people,” he said.
Last week Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford laid out some possible plans for easing lockdown rules.
It could include redesigning classrooms and offices to give people more space, and leaving pubs and other busy places shut for months to come.
People could also meet in small “bubbles” of friends to socialise, it was suggested this weekend.
Those friends would be able to meet up, but would not be allowed to mix with others.
Restrictions in cities and densely populated areas where the virus is spreading could have different rules to those of towns and villages, it was also mooted.
The lockdown is one of the biggest issues facing the PM on his return, with Tory backbenchers demanding more info on how and when it will end.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said: “Everyone will be glad he’s back for personal as well as public reasons.
“He is the only one who has clear executive control and his return will be incredibly welcome.”
Mr Raab has said the next steps will need to be “sure-footed, which is why we are proceeding very cautiously.”
He warned that Brits will have to get used to a “new normal.”
Mr Raab, who has been deputising for the PM for the last three weeks, is now expected to return to his day job as Foreign Secretary.
