By Alex Trelinski • Published: 27 Apr 2020 • 11:06
BORIS JOHNSON has told the UK to keep the Covid-19 lockdown going, in a speech outside 10 Downing Street this morning (April 27).
It was the first time that the Prime Minister has spoken from his home since recovering from the coronavirus.
He returned to Downing Street over the weekend after recuperating at Chequers.
Johnson started by thanking “the people of this country” and “everyone who has stepped up.”
“It is still true that this is the biggest single challenge this country has faced since the war, but it is also true we are making progress,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised that he would not “throw away the sacrifice of the British people” by easing lockdown restrictions too quickly.
The comment came after growing frustration in the UK over the social isolation restrictions and signs over the weekend of increased traffic on the country’s roads.
“I know it is tough. I want to get the economy moving as fast as I can,” he said.
“But I refuse to throw away the sacrifice of the British people … and risk a second peak.”
After recent criticism, Johnson insisted that the government had plans for moving onto the second phase of fighting the coronavirus, but did not mention any specifics.
“We simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow, or even when, those changes will be made,” he said.
He added that further announcements would be made over the next few days, and would be made “with the maximum possible transparency.”
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