Lockdown stays until June – PM Boris Johnson expected to declares no early end to coronavirus curbs

By Lizzie Day • Published: 30 Apr 2020 • 11:15

PM Boris Johnson is expected to declare lockdown will stay until June today.

He will meet with Cabinet to thrash out an ‘exit strategy’ before a daily coronavirus briefing for the first time since falling ill with the killer disease.

He is likely to point out that allowing the virus to run rampant again would do even worse damage.

Government sources have indicated it is ‘too early’ to talk about easing lockdown rules.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said in interviews this morning that the mood among ministers was ‘extreme caution,’ and an extension for another three weeks is likely when the formal review takes place on May 7.

However, Ministers are working to develop an ‘exit plan,’ with suggestions island communities with controllable transport links could be used to trial ways of relaxing restrictions while extending community testing.

The PM’s press briefing comes less than 36 hours after his fiancee Carrie Symonds gave birth to their son.

Johnson has put off his paternity leave until later in the year while the country continues to battle the coronavirus outbreak.